[Englecturers] Re: Devoid of Content

[englecturers at lists.ucr.edu]

Greetings All:

As usual, Fish is being reactionary and provocative. His position is 
certainly a departure from the rhetorical tradition, which holds that 
grammar, logic, and rhetoric are distinct though interrelated subjects of 
study.

For what it’s worth, here is a passage from George Campbell’s The Philosophy 
of Rhetoric (1776) that came to mind. Campbell is discussing the 
relationship between *grammar* and *oratory*. (Oratory in the sense that he 
is referring to it is practically synonymous with rhetoric.)

“the grammatical art hath its completion in syntax; the oratorical, as far 
as the body or expression is concerned, in style. Syntax regards only the 
composition of many words into one sentence; style, at the same time that it 
attends to this, regards further the composition of many sentences into one 
discourse. Nor is this the only difference; the grammarian, with respect to 
what the two arts have in common, the structure of sentences, requires only 
purity; that is, that the words employed belong to the language, and that 
they be construed in the manner, and used in the signification, which custom 
hath rendered necessary for conveying the sense. The orator requires also 
beauty and strength; The highest aim of the former is the lowest aim of the 
latter; where grammar ends eloquence begins.”

Dean Papas

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