Lesson #2 – Elements of Composition
- Complete the reading assignment
- Complete the writing exercise
- Post your assignment in the comments
- Share the lesson with a friend
Reading
Today’s lesson is extremely simple, and should only take you a few minutes. Last week we discussed the difference between sophistry and rhetoric. We learned that rhetoric rightly understood, is not sophistry, but the principled process of crafting a valid and compelling message.
This week, I want to do two things: clarify what I mean by message, then introduce you to the three parts of rhetoric you need to know to write well.
First, hopefully you are saying this in your sleep by now: rhetoric rightly understood, is not sophistry, but the principled process of crafting a valid and compelling message.
While memorizing and conceptualizing this principle is essential, it is necessary to think of the words compelling message as argument. This doesn’t change anything; it just highlights an important distinction.
Good writing doesn’t just tell the facts, it makes an assertion. In other words, all good writing argues a point. Your argument is your compelling message.
Second, there are three parts to rhetoric as it pertains to writing, and you should memorize these too: invention, organization, and style.
Invention is the message you plan to argue.
Organization is the order in which you plan to argue your message.
Style is how you plan to argue your message.
Writing Exercise
Pick a topic that interests you, then write a single sentence that argues a point you want to make. Share your sentence in the comments. For example: Every Christian has a moral obligation to be a proficient writer.
[callout]Do you want to touch readers with your words, learn the craft of writing, or simply improve your writing skills from a classical perspective? Join me each week for Saturday (Writing) School. Every Saturday I’ll send a lesson to your inbox you can complete in an hour, or you can work on it at your leisure. It’s free![/callout]