Analyse the relative effectiveness of the rhetorical techniques used by Alain de Botton in 'Consolations of Philosophy'

'Consolations of Philosophy' by Alain de Botton is a collection of essays arranged into a self-help-style book. Its purpose is to find consolation for a variety of modern-day problems such as a lack of money or unpopularity within the works and beliefs of the great, influential philosophers. Rather than to support the idea of philosophy being out-dated and no longer relevant in our lives, de Botton brings together the ideas of six philosophers to re-ignite …

…such as combining each essay with related images and ideas. It can also be seen that de Botton's essays stay closely in-line with the requirements of oration, such as engaging the audience and stirring them, set out by Cicero and can therefore be described as excellently structured. BOOKS De Botton, Alain, Consolations of Philosophy, 2000, Penguin: St. Ives WEBSITES Alain de Botton\s Official Website, Reviews, Viewed on 19/04/06 at 15:00 <www.alaindebotton.com>