17C - Rhetoric and Persuasion: Essays in the Seventeenth Century Lesson

The etymology of the word "essay" is significant. "Essay" comes from a French word meaning "to try". An essay is a piece of writing that is an attempt to communicate an informed opinion or to clarify a personal point of view on a matter. Though essays contain personal opinions, they are written as declarations of the truth. The essay by nature implies that the point of view expressed depends on a particular person's experiences or pertinent research on a topic.

Recall that during the Seventeenth Century, people sought knowledge regarding various topics including science, religion, and philosophy. Therefore, after researching and studying, essays served as a popular method to disseminate the acquired knowledge in order to persuade readers to trust the findings of the essayist. The art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, especially the use of figures of speech and other compositional techniques, is called rhetoric.

Rhetoric and Persuasion 

Throughout history and modern times, public speakers and writers acquire methods to move an audience to belief and action through applying the art of rhetoric and using the various Aristotelian appeals. Aristotle coined three persuasive audience appeals: ethos, pathos, and logos. Take a moment to watch the movie below from Ted-Ed about rhetoric and persuasion. After hearing a story about a violinist, Joshua Bell, the movie delves into the meaning of the three persuasive appeals. 

Rhetoric and Persuasion Interactivity

The use of various rhetorical strategies in essays allow the writer or speaker to effectively persuade the audience. Now that you are familiar with the rhetorical strategies, practice your understanding.

Sir Francis Bacon

Sir Francis Bacon was a famous essayist, lawyer, and philosopher from the Seventeenth Century. Born in London in 1561, he entered Trinity College in Cambridge at the age of 12; he then started pursuing his career in law at the age of 15. Bacon started serving with Parliament in 1584 and continued to move up in his political career. However, he was found guilty of accepting bribes and removed from his offices in 1621.

Bacon did not trust reason and believed strongly in only accepting the scientific investigation of nature as truth.   He was not a scientist, but his philosophy served as the basis for modern science.

Sir Francis bacon Reading Assignment

Read through the following essays by Sir Francis Bacon. When reading, note the various rhetorical strategies used by Bacon to persuade his audience.

Essay 1: "Of Knowledge" Links to an external site.

With the importance of acquiring knowledge in the Seventeenth Century, Bacon's essay "Of Knowledge" highlights important concepts among knowledge, power, and progress. Note the three inventions he highlights, as well as the rhetorical strategies he uses to reach his audience. 

Essay 2: "Of Parents and Children" Links to an external site.

Philosophy was a major focus of the Seventeenth Century, and "Of Parents and Children" philosophically examines the relationship between parents and children. Note how Bacon writes his opinions as facts, which is a characteristic of the essay genre in order to establish strength of argument by the writer.