Progymnasmata Exercises

A set of rudi­men­tary exer­cises intended to pre­pare stu­dents of rhetoric for the cre­ation and per­for­mance of com­plete prac­tice ora­tions (gym­nas­mata or decla­ma­tions). A cru­cial com­po­nent of clas­si­cal and renais­sance rhetor­i­cal ped­a­gogy. Many pro­gym­nas­mata exer­cises cor­re­late directly with the parts of a clas­si­cal ora­tion.

1. Fable
2. Narrative
3. Chreia
4. Proverb
5. Refutation
6. Confirmation
7. Commonplace
8. Encomium
9. Vituperation
10. Comparison
11. Impersonation
12. Description
13. Thesis or Theme
14. Defend /​Attack a Law

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