Rhetoric
Beginning
Exordium
(Intro.)
(Speech)
Get attention, trust,
and goodwill of
audience;
Establish
REASON
Narratio
(Background)
Statement of
indisputable facts
for audience to
KNOW &
Introduce the central
issue & opposing
“arguments”
A Universal Structure for Communication Middle
Propositio
(Proposition)
Divisio/Partitio
(Division)
“Thesis
Statement”
Outline and
dissection of
main argument
End
Confirmatio
(Proof)
Supporting
Evidence: facts,
reasons
(logos)
MOST
COMPELLING
EVIDENCE
Refutatio
(Refutation)
Peroratio
(Conclusion)
Address larger
implications of
Thesis; Respond
to objections,
opposition
Summary of
argument; Give
audience
something to
“take home”
Star witness
Closing
arguments
VERDICT
Jury reaches
own conclusion
REMEMBER
CALL TO
ACTION
FROM
AUDIENCE;
the “turn”
(pathos)
TO CARE
(Court
Scene)
(ethos)
Call to
order
Prosecution
opening argument
Music
(Theme)
(Key)
Drama
Intro or
“HOOK”;
Establish
main
material:
gestures
and
dichords
(or
intervals)
Establish
tonic key
Opening
credits;
Establish
STASIS
& locale
through
images;
Transitions real
world
into
story
world;
Meet
audience
where
they are
at and
make
hungry;
Prologue
Theme 1
(memorable and
singable tune) in
primary
instrument/voice;
Combinations of
Melody, Harmony,
Rhythm; THESIS
(point)
Tonic key
Defense opening
argument
Exposition
Theme 2 (contrasting)
in secondary
instrument/voice;
Change of harmonic
rhythm and sometimes
texture; Diff. combination of Melody,
Harmony, Rhythm;
ANTITHESIS
(counterpoint)
Dominant or Relative
key
Act I: Exposition (15-30%)
Entrance of
Entrance of
MEMORABLE
ANTAGONIST & THEIR
PROTAGONIST &
GOAL; Goal must be
THEIR GOAL; Goal
plausible, vital, &
must be plausible,
concrete; Antagonist is
vital, & concrete-often a family member
dominates their life
of Protagonist (built of
& often bigger
same material);
than selves;
Comparable in
Character is
dimension,
dimensional &
contradiction, &
contradictory
strength of will to
(physical, mental,
Protagonist; Antagonist
emotional and
is often delusional
spiritual) to be
“overdog”; STASIS
believable human;
shattered; “TICKING
Protagonist often
CLOCK” begins;
spiritually
Foreshadowing
dominant
INEVITABLE
“underdog”;
CONFLICT (two trains
Dialogue begins
on one track);
Examination &
cross examination
Examination &
cross examination
Closing section
Thematic
fragmentation
and variation:
sequences,
inversion,
invertible
counterpoint,
etc…
Development
Thematic
fragmentation
and variation:
expansion,
contraction,
contrapuntal
combination,
etc…
Retransition;
“busiest” point
in work
(GOLDEN MEAN
or 5:8);
often grows
louder
Theme 1 in
original
instrument /
voice;
Often loud
Dominant or
Relative key
Heptachord
shift/modulation
avoiding
Exposition keys
Heptachord
shift/modulation
avoiding
Exposition keys
Return to
Dominant key
(sets up tonic
key)
RETURN TO
TONIC KEY
(optional in
Beethoven)
TURNING POINT;
Protagonist often
refuses “the call”
or hesitates at
the “threshold”
until URGENCY
REQUIRES
ACTION;
Departure on a
journey both
foreign and
familiar;
Foreshadowing
CONFLICT
(setting up the
dominoes).
Act II: Complications/Fate of Characters (50-75%)
Escalating series
More tests,
CRISIS; DARK
of tests (often 3),
temptations &
MOMENT for
temptations
obstacles;
protagonist as
and obstacles;
Characters
result of own
Strategizing;
SUFFER from
errors (self
ATTACK &
own errors (but
revelation);
COUNTERblame others);
INTENSE
ATTACK (Tennis
“FALSE
STRAIN,
match) between
VICTORIES”;
SACRIFICE &
main characters;
refusal to
SUFFERING;
failed attempts to
negotiate; great
Characters
negotiate;
SACRIFICE;
strategize &
Characters
Characters
prepare for final
“transition”;
“transition”;
battle;Characters
Allies or
Foreshadowing
“transition” &
HELPING
and RISING
make a
HANDS APPEAR;
CONFLICT
momentous
Foreshadowing
decision that
and RISING
seals their fate;
CONFLICT
No turning back
Recapitulation
Theme 2 in
original
instrument /
voice;
SYNTHESIS
TONIC KEY
Sentencing
or Release
Coda
Elaboration of
tonic key
(perhaps IV
briefly)
Act III: Resolution (5-25%)
CLIMAX;
CATHARSIS;
DenoueACCOUNTABILSPECTACLE;
ment;
ITY (win, lose or
face-to-face
Transitions
draw); NEW
battle; HERO
world of
FINISHES
STASIS results;
story back
JOURNEY
PREMISE IS
into real
ALONE;
PROVEN;
world;
Characters
CHARACTER
Epilogue
willing to kill or
SELF
be killed (or lose
REVELATION
a dominant
through action;
quality)-REVERSAL OF
paradox of
FORTUNE
life/death;
(especially
BIGGEST TEST
Antagonist);
OF STRENGTH; Possible TRAGIC
Surprises and
DEED (or
twists; Highly
elsewhere);
complex with
POSSIBILITY
many characters
OF
REDEMPTION
interacting