Course
Rhetoric
Theory and practice of persuasion: from Aristotle to modern debates and advertising
Part of the Antiquity track — finish it for a verifiable diploma →
§ 01 — Orientation
New here?
What you'll be able to do, who this is for, how long it takes, and where to begin.
By the end, you will be able to
- 01Use the classical tools of persuasion.
- 02Build an argument that lands.
- 03Analyze the rhetoric behind any speech or ad.
- 04Deliver a speech with control.
- 05Dismantle manipulation when you hear it.
Who this is for
How long it takes
- Quick orientationSkim the opening module and the cheatsheet to get the shape of it.~2 h
- Full read-throughRead every article once, in order.~2 h
- Mastery pathRead, take the quizzes, and space out your reviews.~2 weeks
- APA
Stoa. (2026). Rhetoric [Online course]. Stoa. https://stoa.school/course/rhetoric
- MLA
Stoa. “Rhetoric.” Stoa, 2026, https://stoa.school/course/rhetoric.
- Chicago
Stoa. “Rhetoric.” Stoa. Accessed September 1, 2026. https://stoa.school/course/rhetoric.
§ 02 — Curriculum
8 modules.
Each module is a small unit. Most read in sequence — but a determined reader can begin anywhere.
- M IClassical Rhetoric and Public SpeakingAristotle, Cicero, and the art of persuasive speech3 articles
18 minBegin → - M IIWritten CommunicationBusiness correspondence, analytical writing, and persuasive documents3 articles
18 minBegin → - M IIINegotiation and PersuasionPrinciples of negotiation, psychology of influence, and difficult conversations3 articles
18 minBegin → - M IVMedia and Digital RhetoricCommunication in the digital age, media literacy, and personal branding3 articles
18 minBegin → - M VThe Public Sphere, the Rhetoric of Reason, and Great OratorsHabermas, great orators of the 19th–20th centuries, and the rhetoric of totalitarianism3 articles
18 minBegin → - M VIAdvertising, PR, and Political Rhetoric in the 20th CenturyEdward Bernays, advertising as persuasion, and framing in politics3 articles
18 minBegin → - M VIIDigital Rhetoric: Social Media, Disinformation, and ImageThe rhetoric of social networks, the virality of persuasion, and visual argumentation3 articles
18 minBegin → - M VIIIThe Future of Rhetoric: AI, Deepfakes, and Rhetorical EducationAlgorithmic persuasion, the crisis of trust, and the future of rhetoric3 articles
18 minBegin →
§ 03 — Learning outcomes
4 outcomes.
Demonstrate understanding of the key concepts of the rhetorical tradition: ethos, pathos, and logos
Construct persuasive arguments using diverse rhetorical strategies
Analyze political, advertising, and media texts as rhetorical practices
Apply rhetorical principles in public speaking and debate
§ 04 — Practices