Example Of Eloquence Essay

In his Lecture XXV entitled Eloquence, or Public Speaking—History of Eloquence—Grecian Eloquence--Demosthenes, Hugh Blair provides us vivid explanations of what eloquence is, how to acquire eloquence, degree of eloquence to his observation on rhetoric throughout history. His exposition simply makes me wondering one simple question on who takes the most benefit of eloquence. Is it politician? Orator? Or all of us? Such question brings me to begin observing and scrutinizing what is in the surrounding. Look at those who run for US president, for example. Aren’t they doing eloquence with the final goal of gaining votes, which is in the long run ‘rising to influence and power’? By providing solid argument, clear method, and a good sense, people like Trump and Clinton are trying to satisfy the American citizens’ understanding of their proposal. Such fact is underlined by Blair’s observation on the Grecian Republics where he wrote:
In such state, eloquence, it is obvious, would be much studied, as the surest means of rising to influence and power; and what sort of eloquence? Not that was brilliant merely, and showy, but that which was found, upon trial, to be the most effectual for convincing, interesting, and persuading hearers. For there, public
Such fact comprises a very realistic practice of eloquence in the everyday life. All of a sudden, all Blair’s lecture on eloquence is exemplified. Having the lecture completed with speeches from Trump and Hillary for instance, it is like having rhetorica ducens and rhetorica utens in a package! Let’s take another example. ‘As Seen On TV’ program seems perfect. Does it sound familiar? Yes, it does! It is eloquence on TV. If we would like to peel it layer by layer, it is all Blair’s lecture. We have both conviction and persuasion, don’t we? Aren’t we convinced and started to make a phone call? Again, I will leave the answer to