Summary
John Quincy Adams's *Lectures on Rhetoric and Oratory* (1810) argues that effective public speaking depends on the persuasive power of the speaker's delivery and the dogmatic force with which they enunciate their views. Adams emphasizes that a lecturer's success in teaching is largely attributable to their persuasiveness, though he warns that opinions delivered too dogmatically can repress inquiry by disparaging and denouncing all who differ. The book examines how a speaker's manner—including plainness of speech, brusqueness, or even rudeness—can influence an audience, while also noting that courteous and affectionate behavior within one's circle contrasts with the sternness required in public address. A reader takes away an understanding that rhetoric is not merely about argument structure but about the speaker's personal authority and the psychological impact of their delivery style.
Key concepts
- Persuasiveness of enunciation — The quality of a lecturer's delivery that makes their views attractive and convincing to an audience.
- Dogmatic delivery — A style of speaking where opinions are delivered so forcefully that all who differ are disparaged and denounced, potentially repressing inquiry.
- Plainness of speech — A rhetorical tactic of using direct, blunt language in public discourse, sometimes perceived as brusque or rude.
- Singularity of manners — The distinctive personal behavior of a speaker that contributes to their celebrity and professional success.
- Courteous and affectionate circle — The contrast between a speaker's public brusqueness and their private, gentle demeanor among family and friends.
From the book
For other versions of this work, see Encyclopædia Britannica . ← 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica ( 1911 ) Title page → related portals : Reference Works Shortcut : EB11 or EB1911 Notes on reading the Wikisource edition . A special disclaimer for this project . Collaboration page for contributors . 12543 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica 1911 Table of contents This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published before January 1, 1931. This work may be in the public domain in countries and areas with longer native copyright terms that apply the rule of the shorter term to foreign works . Public domain Public domain false false← Alabama 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica , Volume 1 "Alabama" Arbitration by Montague Hughes Crackanthorpe Alabama River → See also Alabama Claims on…
He is commonly known as Rab.← Abbadie, Jakob 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica , Volume 1 'Abbahu Abba Mari → See also Abbahu on Wikipedia ; and our 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica disclaimer . 12925 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica , Volume 1 — 'Abbahu ʼABBAHU, the name of a Palestinian ʼamora ( q.v. ) who flourished c . 279–320. ʼAbbahu encouraged the study of Greek by Jews. He was famous as a collector of traditional lore, and is very often cited in the Talmud.
He was author of Quaestiones ( Sheiltoth ), a collection of homilies (at once learned and popular) on Jewish law and ethics. This is recorded to have been the first work written by a Jewish scholar after the completion of the Talmud.← Alphabet 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica , Volume 1 'Al-phasi, Isaac Alphege, Saint → See also Isaac Alfasi on Wikipedia ; and our 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica disclaimer . 1202415 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica , Volume 1 — 'Al-phasi, Isaac ’AL-PHASI, ISAAC (1013–1103), Jewish rabbi and codifier, known as Riph , was born near Fez in 1013 and died at Lucena in 1103. ’Al-Phasi means the “man of Fez” (medieval Jews were often named after their birthplaces). He was forced to leave Fez when an old man of 75, being accused on some unknown political charge. He then…
Popular questions readers ask
- Explain how the British proclamation of neutrality, recognizing the Confederacy as belligerents, fundamentally altered the diplomatic and legal landscape for both the Union and the Confederacy, beyond merely acknowledging their conflict.
- The text suggests the "Alabama" Arbitration exemplifies arbitration's value in averting war. Propose a counter-narrative: what specific turning points or missed opportunities, based on the provided text, could have led to a military confrontation between Great Britain and the Union, and what does this reveal about the fragility of neutrality?
- From the perspective of a British shipbuilding firm like Messrs. Laird, what were the economic incentives and potential legal risks involved in constructing vessels like the "Alabama" for a belligerent entity, and how might these considerations have influenced their actions despite official government neutrality?
- Beyond the immediate facts, how did the "Alabama" incident challenge the prevailing understanding of international law regarding a neutral nation's responsibilities during another country's civil conflict, and what lasting impact might it have had on the concept of state sovereignty versus international obligation?
- If you were to simplify the complex chain of events leading to the "Alabama" Arbitration for someone completely unfamiliar with the US Civil War and international law, how would you articulate the core grievance of the United States against Great Britain, using only the details provided in the excerpt?