Rhetoric is the craft of using language persuasively.
It appears whenever a politician or CEO makes a speech. But we all use rhetorical devices, even if we don’t know we’re doing so. And not just when we’re arguing a point: rhetoric also informs persuasive explanations and stories. Just about any utterance – whether spoken or written – can be considered rhetorical.
Rhetoric is a body of practical knowledge. It’s been around for a very long time. Aristotle described it as a tekhnē – a word that gives us the words ‘technical’ and ‘technique’. Rhetorical techniques are worth knowing because they’re useful.
I’m fascinated by the history of rhetoric and its guiding principles. If you want to know more – and see how rhetoric helps you argue, explain and narrate more effectively – check out the relevant articles on my blog.
BLOG
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Odysseus and eloquence 2: speaking truth and untruth
Odysseus displays eloquence in all its glittering variety. He is inventing rhetoric before our eyes.
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Odysseus and eloquence 1: brooding and turning
We make, each of us, our own ‘Odyssey’ in reading it. I see Odysseus as inventing a new kind of eloquence: rhetoric hundreds of years before the word was invented.
TRAINING
Practical Skills
Whether you want to sharpen your writing, strengthen your presentations, or communicate complex ideas with clarity, these workshops are designed to help you build practical, lasting skills. Each course combines clear guidance with hands‑on exercises, giving you the confidence to apply new techniques straight away.
I run every workshop in small groups to keep the learning focused and interactive, and each one can be delivered as a half‑day, full‑day, seminar, or webinar to suit your organisation. From copywriting to report writing, grammar to speechwriting, these courses offer a clear, structured route to becoming a more effective communicator.
