Definition:
The introductory part of an argument in which a speaker or writer establishes credibility (ethos) and announces the subject and purpose of the discourse. Plural: exordia. See also:
- Introduction
- Lead
- Parts of a Speech
- Arrangement
- Paragraphs 1-3 of "A Modest Proposal"
Etymology:
From the Latin, "beginning"Examples and Observations:
- "I have often thought of it as one of the most barbarous customs in the world, considering us as a civilized and a Christian country, that we deny the advantages of learning to women.
"We reproach the sex every day with folly and impertinence; while I am confident, had they the advantages of education equal to us, they would be guilty of less than ourselves."
(Daniel Defoe, "The Education of Women") - "Ancient rhetoricians gave elaborate advice for exordia, since rhetors use this first part of a discourse to establish their ethos as intelligent, reliable, and trustworthy people. Indeed, Quintilian wrote that 'the sole purpose of the exordium is to prepare our audience in such a way that they will be disposed to lend a ready ear to the rest of our speech' (IV i 5). However, in Book II of the Rhetoric, Aristotle contended that the main purpose of the introduction was 'to make clear what is the end (telos) of the discourse' (1515a). Other functions of introductions, according to Aristotle, include making the audience well disposed toward the rhetor and the issue and grabbing their attention."
(S. Crowley and D. Hawhee, Ancient Rhetorics for Contemporary Students, Pearson, 2004) - "If you have had occasion to go to a movie, you know that there is something called the previews of coming attractions. [The opening statement] is supposed to be a guide, a roadmap, if you will, what we expect the evidence to show. . . . What I say is not evidence."
(Johnnie Cochran, opening statement in the People v. O.J. Simpson)
Pronunciation: egg-ZOR-dee-yum
Also Known As: entrance
