The Progymnasmata is a series of classical writing exercises which are intended to prepare a student for formal Rhetoric (the art of persuasion). Contrary to many modern writing programs, which often only teach only a few kinds of writing (research papers and thesis being the most common) the Progymnasmata is composed of the following multi-faceted writing exercises.
Chreia & Maxim
Impersonation
Thesis
Law
The word “Progymnasmata” is Greek “pro” means before and “gymnasmata” refers to exercises (like the word gymnasium), literally these are exercises to master prior to the study of Rhetoric. Given the literal meaning of the word, building on the analogy of exercising at a gym may be useful. Whereas modern writing programs anre akin to the person who only works on biceps and triceps the Progymnasmata is more like a whole body work out. The Progymnasmata teaches students how to work out every writing muscle they have so that all of those powers are at their disposal when they write or prepare a speech. You won’t use every one of these exercises each time you write a speech, of course, but you will have the ability to use them whenever it becomes necessary or expedient. You don’t want to be caught having to run anywhere, or jump over anything, if you have only worked your biceps, triceps! As you may have hear it said, “Never skip leg day!”