Introduction to Rhetoric at Cornell University (February 2026)

My latest version of my introduction to the history and theory of rhetoric delivered twice a year at Cornell University. Many thanks to Professor Sam Nelson from the Industrial Labor Relations School for going out of his way to host me twice a year. The Cornell students benefit from having such an involved and thoughtful professor! The lecture is about 2 hours long and is a very broad overview of the history of how rhetoric has been studied. The case study in this lecture is the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Comments and Questions welcome! Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction 0:30 Professor Sam Nelson introduction 6:17 What is Rhetoric? 9:43 Aristotle's Definition & Ancient Greek Rhetoric 28:40 The Canons of Rhetoric 34:20 Ancient Roman Rhetoric 36:56 Argumentum in Utramque Partem 39:42 The Poor Man's Bees Case & Cicero 44:17 Stasis Theory 48:30 Historical definitions of rhetoric 1:01:29 Peter Ramus 1:03:49 Elocution 1:08:19 Herb Wichelns & Rhetorical Criticism 1:15:45 Ed Black & Second Persona 1:20:45 Kenneth Burke 1:26:18 Example Rhetorical Criticism: Renee Good & Alex Pretti 1:44:32 Contemporary Rhetorical Movements 1:50:48 Conclusion with Q&A from Students