Persuasion in Public Discourse

The foundational work on persuasion. Aristotle explains ethos, pathos, and logos, how to build arguments, and how to adapt a speech to its audience, in the classic W. Rhys Roberts translation.

Aristotle

Plato's dialogue on the power and limits of rhetoric. Socrates asks whether persuasion without knowledge is a true art or mere flattery, in Benjamin Jowett's translation with introduction.

Plato

Cicero's De Oratore, his dialogue on what makes a great speaker, together with Brutus and his letters. It covers argument, style, delivery, and the use of humor to win over an audience.

Marcus Tullius Cicero

A practical guide to spotting and analyzing persuasive techniques in the media, from emotional appeals to tone. Includes annotated examples, cartoon analysis, and writing activities.

IP Awareness Foundation