progymnasmata

A set of rudimentary exercises intended to prepare students of rhetoric for the creation and performance of complete practice orations (gymnasmata or declamations). A crucial component of classical and renaissance rhetorical pedagogy. Many progymnasmata exercises correlate directly with the parts of a classical oration.

The 14 Progymnasmata

1. Fable
2. Narrative

3. Chreia
4. Proverb

5. Refutation
6. Confirmation

7. Commonplace

8. Encomium
9. Vituperation
10. Comparison

11. Impersonation
12. Description

13. Thesis or Theme
14. Defend / Attack a Law

Related Figures

• expolitio

Connections to Other Parts of Rhetoric

• General Rhetorical Strategy: Amplification
• Arrangment
  
  • Compare the progymnasma "narrative" with narratio
  • Compare the progymnasma "refutation" with refutatio
  • Compare the progymnasma "confirmation" with confirmatio

Internet Resources

Sources: Ad Alexandrum 1436a26; Theon; Aphthonius; Hermogenes; Quintilian ("primae exercitationes");