Progymnasmata

pro-gym-nas'-ma-ta / From Greek: pro "before" and gymnasmata "exercises"
Also known as: praeexercitamina
Rhetorical Pedagogy: Rhetorical Exercises

These were a set of rudimentary exercises intended to prepare students of rhetoric for the creation and performance of complete practice orations (gymnasmata or declamations). They formed a crucial component of classical and renaissance rhetorical pedagogy. Many progymnasmata exercises correlate directly with the parts of a classical oration.

The 14 Progymnasmata are:

Similar progymnasmata are grouped together. The exercises are in general sequential.

Fable
Narrative
Chreia
Proverb
Refutation
Confirmation
Commonplace
Encomium
Vituperation
Comparison
Impersonation
Description
Thesis or Theme
Defend / Attack a Law