Aristotle and the Style of Writing

Aristotle makes the distinction between the style of written and that of oral discourse in Book III Chapter 12. “To know the former means that you are not obliged to hold your tongue when you wish to communicate something… The written style is more finished: the spoken better admits of dramatic delivery.” Being introverted and someone who has a hard time expressing arguments in public on the spot, I find myself dominantly communicating arguments through writing.  Thus, I agree with Aristotle’s statement about written discourse because not everyone has the natural ability to speak well in oral environments (e.g., a classroom). Producing good, rhetorical arguments orally with persuasive effect and confidence are not something that introverts like me can do on the spur of the moment or learn easily from a great rhetorician because according to Aristotle “dramatic delivery is a natural gift, and can hardly be systematically taught.” Thus, as an introverted writer, I tend to shy away from difficult arguments and questions in oral spaces.  “Does Plato consider writing good or bad?” I would freeze up and “hold my tongue” at such a question because I would look “amateurish” and “sound thin in actual contests” because I do not have the natural ability of speaking well. However, if I was asked to write an argument to this question, I would be able to provide a more “finished” thought because my place in society is as a writer, and thus, I have a responsibility to write well. Hence, I think of rhetoric not as an art because it is a participatory, democratic medium. In a democracy, every individual (every sophist, philosopher, writer, etc.) has an important place in society. Aristotle defined himself not so much a writer but as a speaker. I define myself not so much a speaker but as a writer. Rhetoric embraces both participants despite their different styles. So, rhetoric is not an exclusive art.