Book VI:  Plutarch
Progymnasmata Encomium, Invective, and Comparison ~ 10th grade

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Plutarch, featuring the progymnasmata Encomium (Praise), Invective (Blame), and Comparison, follows Herodotus. It is meant for 10th grade and up.

This book focuses on Epideictic (Ceremonial) Rhetoric. The Greek word ‘epideictic’ means "fit for display." Epideictic rhetoric is for special public occasions such as anniversaries or funeral orations. The goal of epideictic rhetoric is to praise or blame a person, place or event. It is concerned with the present.

Our mascot for this book, Plutarch of Chaeronea, is one of the most influential ancient philosophers. His moral treatises have found a larger audience than any other ancient philosopher. In his own age, as priest of Apollo in Delphi he particularly sought to explain philosophical discussions to non-philosophical readers, Greek and Roman alike. Plutarch’s biographies of famous Romans and Greeks are our key model texts for this book.

Biographical essay writing is the focus of Plutarch. Students write about historical figures, researching primary and secondary sources for essay content. The literary models used in this book include selections from Plutarch’s Lives, Thucydides’ History of the Peloponnesian War, Boswell’s Life of Samuel Johnson, Edmond Malone’s Life of Shakespeare, John William Cousin’s A Short Biographical Dictionary of English Literature, and many others. The weekly reading schedule suggests that the student read through many of these classic works during the course of the school year. This book is also appropriate for two semesters of literature and writing at the high school level.

Techniques of Ceremonial Speaking will be taught, including the use of narratives in speeches and writing, recognition of heroes and heroines, appeal to group commitment, and magnification of a person. Speeches of tribute, award presentations, eulogies, toasts, acceptance speeches, speeches of introduction, speeches of inspiration (sermons), and the use of pathos associated with each type of presentation will also be covered.

View the Scope and Sequence for Plutarch