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This innovative approach to Cicero's persuasive language analyses the style and structure of one of his important speeches in more detail than has ever been done before.
It applies ideas from modern linguistics (sentential topic, lexical patterning, interactional discourse), and explores the possibilities and limitations of quantitative analysis, made easier by modern computing power, in the areas of syntax and vocabulary.
The result is a reading of the Pro Milone as a unified text, whether aimed at persuading the jury to acquit Milo or at persuading a wider audience that Milo should have been acquitted.
This reading not only contributes to our understanding of late republican discourse, but also suggests a new methodology for using the study of language and style to illuminate literary/historical aspects of texts.
Introduction – how to use this book
Essay on approach: reading style for substance
1 1. Introduction
1.1. Trial, text, commentary
1.2. Historical issues
1.3. Style and close reading
2. The structure of the text
2.1. General principles
2.1.1. A note on paragraphs and sections
2.2. Rhetorical theory
2.3. ‘Topic’ and the Topic-Sentence
2.3.1. Topic-sentences and existing structural analyses
3. Style
3.1. General principles
3.2. Syntax and complexity
3.2.1. A note on ‘Periodicity’ and other terminology
3.3. Complexity and structure
3.3.1. Complexity and existing structural analyses
4. Vocabulary
4.1. General principles
4.2. Vocabulary and structure
4.2.1. Vocabulary distribution and existing structural analyses
5. Interaction
5.1. Shifts in speaker and addressee
5.2. Speakers, addressees and structure
6. Conclusion
7. Text
8. Commentary
9. Bibliography