Enlightenment during the 17th-18th centuries when there were revolutions in science, philosophy, and politics. This had a great affect on the principles of rhetoric, as well as language and communication.
The logic of rhetoric changed. Scientists were calling for style to be used by rhetoricians that was clear and plain.
Francis Bacon made a change in rhetoric that had to do with psychology. He thought that rhetoric should appeal to its audience mentally. This proved to be a powerful tool.
The Elocution Movement during the 18th - 19th centuries, focused on delivery, correctness, verbal, and non-verbal cues.
"the rhetorical theories of the Enlightenment are intimately linked to the intellectual and social developments that shaped the modern world" (RT 792)
John Locke powerfully affected the direction of rhetoric by his force in the development of modern philosophy. One of his beliefs was that people need to know the process to which they come to know new knowledge in order to truly know it.
Mary Astell was a woman writer. She is known as one of the first feminists. She thought women should become educated and unite together to improve their situation.
you can definetly tell that during this century the people shifted to a focus of delivery and correctness. My grandma always nags at me about my grammer and how i should order the things i way...shes a pain in my ass. Francis bacon has a good point to its kind of hard to prepare a good arguement for a group of children if you write it in the words of a professor. You have to speak in terms that apply to the age and cover topics they would take interest in such as the flavors of different colored crayons.
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