Students in Dr. Nicole Pfannenstiel’s summer 2025 writing seminar crafted blog posts exploring Rhetoric & Composition. Over the next several weeks, we will share their work in this space to bring visibility to their posts and offer a variety of perspectives on pertinent topics within Rhetoric & Composition. These posts are written by graduate students currently in the MA and M.Ed. English programs.
Rhetorical Invention
By: Marissa Farmer
As we explore rhetoric, it is important to analyze the concept of invention and its
essential function in forming a rhetorical argument. Invention is the means of finding the right
argument within a speech. By creating an effective argument through systematic planning and
comprehension of a subject, orators can discover connections in persuasive discussions that are
appropriate for a targeted audience and circumstance. Finding an argument while considering the
elements in which that argument will be delivered is crucial to successfully persuading an
audience. In his book Ancient Rhetoric and Oratory, Thomas Habinek uses invention to explore
the divide created between rhetoric and philosophy by applying critical thinking techniques in
developing a speech that considers human emotions, intending to utilize human subjectivity to
appeal to internal and cultural perspectives. When a speaker considers the audience by finding
the most appropriate approach based on their unique perspective and circumstances, invention
bridges the gap between rhetoric and philosophy by introducing human psychology by crafting a
persuasive speech with reflection.
By incorporating invention into writing, an author can transform form into something
unique and meaningful just by considering perspective and human experience. It continues to be
encouraged in writing today for that exact reason. There is no point in writing if the author
cannot transform basic style into a unique expression of persuasive argument or thought.
Additionally, students learning how to write benefit from invention because they can learn how
to take any topic and build an argument that applies and makes sense with the given
circumstances over and over again. Invention helps discover the scope of an argument, which
then personalizes persuasion to cater to a specific situation or audience. Invention is a crucial
skill for rhetoricians to obtain and practice if they wish to enhance their oratory skills in a way
that will give them a never-ending understanding of forming arguments of persuasion. Readers
studying rhetoric should consider invention and employ it in their planning and strategy process
of formulating persuasive arguments to build a strong comprehension of the rhetorical approach.
Works Cited
Atwill, Janet, and Janice M. Lauer, eds. Perspectives on Rhetorical Invention. Vol. 39. Univ. of
Tennessee Press, 2002.
Habinek, Thomas. Ancient Rhetoric and Oratory, John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated, 2004.
ProQuest Ebook Central,
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/millersville-ebooks/detail.action?docID=350931.
James Jasinski. Sourcebook on Rhetoric. SAGE Publications, Inc, 2001. EBSCOhost,
research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=9a03b3c5-6df9-30d5-a1ae-b113c8eb0852.
LeFevre, Karen Burke. Invention as a Social Act. SIU Press, 1986.
Muckelbauer, John. The Future of Invention: Rhetoric, Postmodernism, and the Problem of
Change. State University of New York Press, 2009