Some Influences of Greek and Roman Rhetoric on Early Letter Writing1
Herbert W. Hildebrandt
Letter writing, known as dictamen in the Medieval and Renaissance periods, was formatively dependent upon theory of oral rhetoric ancient world, some reflections which are still apparent today. Three precepts were applied by letter writers: inventio, locating material for three kinds letters; dispositio, organizing letters into an introduction, body, conclusion; style, applying ornateness along with clarity correctness to prose. Representative English, Italian, German writing practi tioners carried tradition along.
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