Theories of rhetoric in the 18th-century Scottish sermon
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Authors
Matheson, Ann
Abstract
The aim of this thesis is to examine the development of
the sermon in Scotland during the 18th century, and to
attempt to isolate the theories of rhetorical thought that
influenced the design and content of the sermon during
this period. Particular attention will be paid to examining
the development of the sermon in the light of contemporary
interest in the study of rhetoric and belles lettres, and an
attempt will be made to relate trends in sermon rhetoric to
movements in Scottish literary taste during the period.
CHAPTER 1 contains the introduction, examines the historical
background to the sermon, and to the 18th-century Scottish
sermon, in particular, investigates contemporary attitudes
to the sermon in periodicals, and deals with the forms in
which the sermon was presented to the public.
CHAPTER 2 deals with 18th-century resources for training in
rhetoric. As a preliminary step, it examines the attitude
of the Church to training in rhetoric, and then deals with
the teaching of rhetoric at 18th-century Scottish universities.
CHAPTER 3 examines the printed theories of pulpit rhetoric
available to 18th-century sermon-writers. (Examination is
restricted to theories of pulpit rhetoric printed in 18thcentury
Scotland. ) The chapter also examines sermons on the
role of the sermon written by the 18th-century Scottish
clergy, and investigates the influence of the club on the
rhetoric of the sermon.
CHAPTER 4 deals with the modes of rhetoric in the 18thcentury
Scottish sermon, i. e. the Evangelical sermon, the
Moderate sermon, and the 'mixed sermon' which contains
elements of both.
CHAPTER 5 examines the sermon's relation to contemporary
developments in the fields of elocution, drama and literature.
APPENDIX 1 contains correspondence relating to the publication
of Hugh Blair's Sermons, 1771-1801.
APPENDIX 2 contains a check-list of printed theories of
pulpit rhetoric published in the 18th century.
APPENDIX 3 contains a check-list of sermons printed in
Scotland 1700 to 1800.
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