The Elements of Rhetoric -- How to Write and Speak Clearly and Persuasively by Ryan N.S. Topping Summary

The Elements of Rhetoric by Ryan N.S. Topping is a comprehensive guide to persuasive writing and speaking that teaches 26 fundamental rules for making arguments stick. Published in 2016, this 116-page book provides practical instruction on the three modes of persuasion, essay structure, logical fallacies, and literary composition techniques. Drawing examples from masters like Cicero, Augustine, Shakespeare, Lincoln, and Chesterton, Topping offers a modern approach to classical rhetoric in the tradition of Strunk and White's The Elements of Style.

The Elements of Rhetoric is designed for students, teachers, politicians, preachers, and anyone seeking to communicate more effectively. The book serves both beginners learning foundational persuasion techniques and experienced communicators refining their craft. It's particularly valuable for academic writers structuring essays, public speakers preparing presentations, and professionals who rely on clear, convincing communication in their work. Homeschoolers and educators teaching composition will find the included study guide with exercises especially useful.

The Elements of Rhetoric receives largely positive reviews for delivering concise, actionable guidance on persuasive communication. Reviewers praise Topping's accessible approach that makes classical rhetoric principles practical for modern audiences across all experience levels. Daniel B. Coupland of Hillsdale College calls it "a gem," while Quentin Schultze describes it as "a splendid introduction to what you need to know to communicate wisely and well." The book's compact 116-page format and clear structure make it an efficient investment for anyone serious about improving their writing and speaking skills.

Ryan N.S. Topping holds a Doctorate in Theology and M.Phil. from the University of Oxford, as well as an MA in Philosophy from the University of Manitoba. He formerly served as Professor of Theology and Director of the Benedict XVI Institute at Newman Theological College in Edmonton, Alberta. Dr. Topping has authored ten books on Catholic education and culture, published numerous academic articles, and is a popular conference speaker. His expertise spans systematic theology, moral philosophy, and classical rhetoric, bringing scholarly depth to practical communication instruction.

The Elements of Rhetoric presents 26 specific rules that cover the complete process of persuasive communication, from understanding your audience to crafting memorable conclusions. These rules address fundamental aspects like the three modes of persuasion (logos, ethos, pathos), proper essay structure, and avoiding logical fallacies. The rules also include practical composition techniques such as using the CERC method, preferring concrete language over abstractions, and ordering emotions effectively. Topping organizes these principles to guide writers through invention, arrangement, style, and delivery—the classical stages of rhetoric.

The Elements of Rhetoric teaches the classical three modes of persuasion: logos (logical argument), ethos (credibility and character), and pathos (emotional appeal). Topping emphasizes that logos forms the foundation—rational argumentation with clear thesis, structure, and definitions must come first. For pathos, he advises writers to "order your emotions, appeal to head and heart, be vivid, prefer the concrete" to make words truly convince. The book demonstrates how mastering all three modes together creates the most powerful persuasive communication, using examples from historical masters of rhetoric.

The CERC method stands for Claim, Example, Reason, Claim—a fundamental template for persuasive communication that Ryan N.S. Topping identifies as a pattern used by effective speakers throughout history. This four-part structure involves stating your main point, illustrating it with a concrete example, providing logical reasoning to support it, then restating the claim for emphasis. Topping notes this was "an old habit already observed and recommended by Aristotle," and once you recognize the pattern, you'll see how consistently skilled communicators follow this template. The method provides a simple, memorable framework for organizing arguments clearly and convincingly.

The Elements of Rhetoric positions itself as the persuasion-focused companion to Strunk and White's The Elements of Style, which emphasizes grammar and clarity. While The Elements of Style teaches mechanical correctness and concise expression, Topping's book focuses specifically on argumentation, persuasion techniques, and rhetorical strategy. Both books share a compact, practical format with clear rules and abundant examples, but The Elements of Rhetoric addresses the broader question of how to convince audiences through logos, ethos, and pathos. Together, they form complementary guides—one for writing correctly, the other for writing persuasively.

According to The Elements of Rhetoric, every communication serves one of three aims: to teach, to please, or to move—corresponding to informing, delighting, or inciting action. Topping emphasizes that teaching is the most fundamental aim, stating "if your hearer cannot understand what you intend to communicate, they cannot even disagree, let alone act upon what you suggest." He advises beginning from your intended end and working backwards, with rational argumentation including clear thesis, structure, and definitions forming the essential first step. Understanding these three aims helps writers clarify their purpose and select appropriate persuasive strategies for each goal.

The Elements of Rhetoric includes practical tips specifically designed to increase composition speed without sacrificing quality. By providing clear templates like the CERC method (Claim, Example, Reason, Claim) and structured approaches to introductions and conclusions, Topping eliminates the paralysis of the blank page. The book teaches writers to work from their purpose backward, offering specific guidance such as the tripartite conclusion structure: summary, amplification, and appeal. These frameworks and the 26 rules create mental shortcuts that experienced communicators use instinctively, allowing faster drafting while maintaining persuasive effectiveness.

The Elements of Rhetoric teaches readers how to spot and avoid common logical fallacies that undermine persuasive arguments. The book addresses these fallacies within its broader treatment of logos—the mode of persuasion based on sound reasoning and valid syllogisms. Topping explains the three mental acts (understanding, judging, and reasoning) that work on terms, propositions, and syllogisms, showing how each can be either correct or fallacious. By understanding what makes a syllogism valid versus invalid, readers learn to construct airtight arguments and identify weaknesses in opposing positions. This training strengthens both critical thinking and persuasive capability.

The Elements of Rhetoric draws copious examples from masters of language across two millennia, including Cicero, Augustine, Shakespeare, Erasmus, Lincoln, Dickens, Newman, Chesterton, and C.S. Lewis. These examples aren't merely ornamental—Topping uses them to demonstrate specific rhetorical principles in action, showing how great communicators applied the 26 rules of persuasion. The classical handbook Rhetorica ad Herennium (circa 90 BC) provides structural templates, while Aristotle's observations inform fundamental patterns like the CERC method. This rich array of sources connects ancient rhetorical wisdom to modern application, making timeless principles accessible and memorable for contemporary readers.