What is Progymnasmata and Why in the World Does My Classical Education Need It?

Have you heard of the progymnasmata? As one who has dipped heavily in the Classical Education arena over the last 10 years, I had never heard of Progymnasmata (or Progym for short), until recently. I was intrigued and started to do my own research on the topic.

What is Progymnasmata?

Progymnasmata originated around 2500 years ago with the Ancient Greeks and continued with the Roman Empire. People like Aristotle and Plato utilized the progymnasmata to set the foundation for good rhetoric and communication skills necessary for any free citizen in their day. There are only four surviving handbooks of progymnasmata, attributed to Aelius Theon, Hermogenes of Tarsus, Aphthonius of Antioch, and Nicolaus the Sophist.^[1]

The Greek translation of Progymnasmata means preliminary rhetorical exercises, or “fore-exercises,” that were used by students ages 12-15 (sounds like the Dialictic Stage to me) who had completed their education with the grammarians in order to prepare them for writing declamations (the art of public speaking).  There are only four surviving handbooks of progymnasmata, attributed to Aelius Theon, Hermogenes of Tarsus, Aphthonius of Antioch, and Nicolaus the Sophist.^[1]

All students were asked to write out each assignment, memorize it, and then perform a class oration. The progymnasmata were exercises that built upon each other and were taught in order, increasing in difficulty. The exercises were structured to begin with story-telling (Fable and Narration) and end with making an argument (Thesis and Law). 

Should I use the Progym in my Homeschool?

You may be asking if you should be using the progymnasmata exercises in your homeschool, after all they were used by some of the greatest thinkers!

Is it truly classical if I don’t use the progym?

Is the progym outdated, why should I use it?

I am not one to box myself in with a homeschooling method or curriculum, and neither should you!

This is just one more tool (or ahem, set of tools) to arm yourself with. Familiarize yourself with the progym exercises and see if they would bring value to your student.

Check out some of the above curricula that implement the progym in a modernized way.

What are the Benefits of Teaching the Progym Exercises?

1. Organizing Thoughts: Progymnasmata teaches the student to organize their thoughts which will translate into more organized writing and speaking in a thoughtful manner.

2. Speaking and Writing Skills: The ability to share your thoughts in a clear and concise manner is a lost art in today’s education system and are essential skills in higher education as well as the work force.

3. Building Confidence: Progymnasmata helps you become confident in expressing yourself. If one can think and communicate well, they can apply it to any discipline and gain the respect of others.

4. Persuasive Powers: Learning Progymnasmata helps you persuade others with your words. Being able to support an argument and respond well to counterpoints is crucial to raising independent thinkers and learners.

5. Critical Thinking: The Progymnasmata develops creative thinking! The ability to problem solve, evaluate and respond to arguments, and make judgment is critical (pun intended) to making better decisions, as well as formulate and defend one’s own ideas or arguments.

Teaching students how to think vs what to think.

Progymnasmata Curriculum for Classical Language Arts

Do modern classical Curricula include the progymnasmata? Absolutely! If you are interested in learning about which curricula apply the Progym in their curriculum, here is a compiled list to check out.

Classical Academic Press

Classical Academic Press has actually taken the progym and put a modernized twist on it for the classical educator in their Writing and Rhetoric curriculum. Writing & Rhetoric Details – Classical Academic Press. They have taken the originally 14 exercises and divided the skills into 11 parts designed for grades 3 or 4 and up through high school.

Memoria Press

Memoria Press has their own take on it as well. Writing & English Grammar – Memoria Press 9 Classical Composition sets including Fables (Grade 4) up through Theseis and Law.

Classical Writing

Classical Writing is probably the closest to the original Progymnasmata in its structure and style, covering 12 of the 14 exercises. Currently Speech-in-Character and Description, the creative writing components of the progymnasmata, are not covered in the curriculum. (Classical Writing covers creative writing via our poetry series.)

Lost Tools of Learning

Not strictly following the progym, The Lost Tools of Learning deserves to be included although it does not strictly follow the progym. It is a classical approach to language arts as it teaches thinking skills as much as it teaches writing skills necessary for communication and the ability to defend and refute an argument.

WRITING: Basic Essay Writing • Schemes • Tropes • Editing • Exordium • Division • Narratio • Thesis • Proofs • Arguments • Refutation • Conclusion • Amplification

THINKING: Material Logic: Common Topics • Definition • Comparison • Circumstance • Testimony • Relationship

How and When to Use the Progym in Your Homeschool

(The following is a simple guide on how to get started with implementing each exercise into your home education. Grade and age suggestions, are just that, suggestions. **Remember the Greeks didn’t start the progym until after the Grammar Stage, around the age of 12-15)

1. Fable (Grades K-2):

• Explanation: Fables are short stories with a moral lesson, designed to introduce young students to storytelling.
• Teaching Approach: Read simple fables like “The Tortoise and the Hare” and “The Boy Who Cried Wolf.” Discuss the moral lessons in each, and have students create their own fables with animal characters and morals.

2. Narrative (Grades 3-4):

• Explanation: Narratives are stories that describe a sequence of events, allowing students to practice storytelling with a clear structure.
• Teaching Approach: Read narratives like “Little Red Riding Hood” and “Cinderella.” Discuss the beginning, middle, and end of these stories. Have students retell a familiar story with proper sequencing, and then create their own narratives about a memorable experience.

3. Chreia (anecdote) (Grade 5):

• Explanation: Chreia exercises focus on creating short sayings or quotations, helping students express wisdom or praise concisely.
• Teaching Approach: Introduce famous sayings like “Actions speak louder than words” and “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” Discuss their meanings and encourage students to create their own wise sayings related to classroom themes or personal experiences.

4. Maxim (proverb) (Grade 6):

• Explanation: Maxims are like Chreia but involve more generalized statements. They further emphasize the expression of wisdom and lessons.
• Teaching Approach: Continue discussing proverbs and maxims. Introduce examples like “Honesty is the best policy” and “You reap what you sow.” Encourage students to create their own maxims that apply to everyday life.

5. Refutation (Grade 7):

• Explanation: Refutation teaches students to analyze and argue against a given statement, enhancing critical thinking and persuasive skills.
• Teaching Approach: Provide statements like “Homework is unnecessary” and “Video games are a waste of time.” Ask students to argue both in favor of and against each statement, discussing different perspectives and constructing logical arguments.

6. Confirmation (Grade 8):

• Explanation: Confirmation is the counterpart of Refutation, teaching students to support and defend a given statement.
• Teaching Approach: Present statements like “Homework is essential for learning” and “Video games have educational benefits.” Have students create persuasive arguments in favor of each statement, emphasizing the use of evidence and reasoning.

7. Commonplace (Grade 9):

• Explanation: Commonplace exercises encourage students to express their own thoughts and experiences, building on the skills learned in previous exercises.
• Teaching Approach: Assign topics that require personal opinions, such as “The impact of technology on our lives” or “My most memorable vacation.” This allows students to apply their critical thinking, persuasion, and storytelling skills to express themselves.

8. Encomium (Grade 10):

• Explanation: Encomium is a speech or essay that praises someone or something, further enhancing persuasive writing skills.
• Teaching Approach: Choose a famous person, place, or object and ask students to write a speech or essay praising them. Provide examples like “The Benefits of Reading” or “Nelson Mandela: A Hero of Peace.” Encourage students to use persuasive techniques.

9. Vituperation (Grade 11):

• Explanation: Vituperation is the opposite of Encomium, focusing on critiquing someone or something with well-reasoned arguments. Vituperation or invective is “a composition expository of attendant evils” and is a companion to the previous exercise, encomium. It also compares to the Commonplace exercise, but differs in speaking against not general vices or types of persons, but a specific individual. As the encomium, the vituperation includes as subjects chiefly persons, but also can take up things (such as abstract ideas), times (as the seasons), places, or animals. progymnasmata: vituperation (byu.edu)
• Teaching Approach: Provide controversial topics or figures for critique, such as “The Impact of Social Media” or “The Role of Government in Society.” Ask students to write speeches or essays critiquing them and discuss the importance of constructive criticism.

10. Comparison (Grade 12):

• Explanation: Comparison exercises involve comparing two or more things, developing analytical and comparative thinking skills.
• Teaching Approach: Provide sets of topics, historical figures, or concepts and ask students to create comparative essays, highlighting similarities and differences. Discuss the importance of a clear structure in comparative essays.

11. Public Speaking and Oratory (Grades 9-12):

• Explanation: Public speaking and oratory exercises help students develop the skill of delivering speeches or presentations effectively.
• Teaching Approach: Have students research and present on various topics, such as “The Importance of Environmental Conservation” or “The Power of Friendship.” Teach them the art of speech delivery, including voice modulation, gestures, and connecting with the audience.

12. Debate (Grades 9-12):

• Explanation: Debating hones critical thinking, research, and persuasive skills.
• Teaching Approach: Organize debates on relevant issues, encouraging students to research, construct arguments, and engage in structured discussions. Debate topics could include “Should school uniforms be mandatory?” or “Is social media more harmful than helpful?”

13. Creative Writing (Grades K-12):

• Explanation: Creative writing exercises allow students to explore and express their creativity, improving their narrative and descriptive skills.
• Teaching Approach: Offer prompts for imaginative storytelling, poetry, or personal essays, such as “Write a story about a magical adventure” or “Describe your favorite place in vivid detail.” Allow students to unleash their creativity and develop their unique writing style.

14. Literary Analysis (Grades 9-12):

• Explanation: Literary analysis exercises enhance critical thinking and understanding of literary techniques.
• Teaching Approach: Study literary works and teach students how to analyze elements like character development, plot, symbolism, and themes. Analyze texts such as “To Kill a Mockingbird” or “The Great Gatsby,” discussing character motivations, symbolism, and the author’s message.

By incorporating these Progymnasmata exercises into your curriculum, which includes public speaking, debate, creative writing, and literary analysis, you can provide students with a well-rounded education in the art of effective expression, critical thinking, and persuasive communication. Tailor your teaching approach to the age, experience, and interests of your students to keep them engaged and motivated throughout their learning journey.

Let’s discuss!

Have you heard of the Progym before? Have you implemented it in your homeschool? Drop a note below and let us know if you would like to learn more about this intriguing topic!