THE ROLE OF RHETORIC IN FOSTERING PEACE AND HARMONY

Abstract

This paper traces the origins of rhetoric, its scope, function, current nature and purpose. The term rhetoric is

often assigned negative connotation and yet its elements like propositions and arguments of elocution can and

should be used to elevate harmony and combat conflict in the volatile 21st century. Ancient rhetoricians like Ci

cero and Quintilian acknowledged the redeeming qualities of oratory skills. Classical rhetoricians assumed that

everyone knew that language, motives and society could not be separated. This paper gleans applicable rhetori

cal conventions as presented by Cicero in De Oratore.