What does progymnasma mean?

[LilyK]

And is there really a need for these huge words? I have a feeling it means something that can be expressed through a much simpler term.

[Suzanne in ABQ]

From the Classical Writing website:

What are the Progymnasmata?

The progymnasmata is a sequence of writing exercises developed by ancient Greeks and Romans. It is meant to be sequential and cumulative. It proceeds step by step and incorporates previously learned skills into new, more challenging tasks.

The way I understand it (I'm sure some here will cringe at my over-simplification): there are about 9 levels of skills that were identified and described by the ancient Greeks that were necessary for a person to become an accomplished writer and orator. These skills were taught over a period of years, starting at a young age (about 10yo?) and continuing into young adulthood. The student starts by studying simple, but well written "models", as art students study works by the masters. In the beginning, the student analyzes and imitates simple, but great, stories (such as Aesop's Fables). Then, he/she moves on to more complex writing. Eventually, he/she learns to express their own thoughts in a well organized, persuasive manner. I believe the highest levels of the progym. deal primarily with oration.

[pixelroper]

here is how the program CW addresses the classical levels:

Level 1 CW Aesop - Fable
Level 2 CW Homer - Narrative
Level 3 CW Diogenes - Maxim and Chreia
Level 4 CW Herodotus - Confirmation/Refutation
Level 5 CW Plutarch - Encomium/invective/commonplace
Level 6 CW Demosthenes - Thesis/Law

& 3 levels of Poetry(description & speech in chararcter

[Plaid Dad]

And is there really a need for these huge words? I have a feeling it means something that can be expressed through a much simpler term.

The word itself just means preliminary or beginning exercises. :)

[Beth in Central TX]

I guess you could say premilinary rhetorical exercises, but progymnasmata works just as well once you get use to it. Here's a great website that helped me understand the term: http://humanities.byu.edu/rhetoric/silva.htm

[Teddi]

What a great resource for those of us who are trying to get a handle on the progymnasmata. Thanks so much!

I guess you could say premilinary rhetorical exercises, but progymnasmata works just as well once you get use to it. Here's a great website that helped me understand the term: http://humanities.byu.edu/rhetoric/silva.htm