这本教材分3个单元。第1单元对英语修辞学的研究对象、内容和方法加以扼要介绍,包括写作内容的必要成份、修辞艺术的3要素的修辞活动的3层次。这3个层次概括了从词语选用、句式变化直到组段谋篇的修辞活动全过程。第2单元把英语修辞活动中的一些**问题列出来分别进行讨论,共7个专题,每个专题包含两个侧面,它们之间有区别,又有联系,正确把握这些相互关系,对学习和使用修辞至关重要。第3单元属于附录,供读者参考。

Ⅰ Goals for Studying Rhetoric
Ⅱ The Three Aesthetic Criteria in English Rhetoric
Ⅲ The Three Levels of Rhetorical Operations (A) :Selecting Words and Phrases
Ⅳ The Three Levels of Rhetorical Operations (B) :SeekingSentence Variety
Ⅴ The Three Levels of Rhetorical Operations (C) : Writing aParagraph and Arranging Paragraphs into a CompleteText
Ⅵ Meanings of Words: A Multifaceted Notion
Ⅶ Denotation and Connotation
Ⅷ Generalization and Specification
Ⅸ Economy and Clarity
Ⅹ Accuracy and Vaguene
Ⅺ Unity and Coherence
Ⅻ The Literal Ues and Figurative Use of Language
ⅩⅢ Propriety and Creativity
ⅩⅣ Keys to the Exercises
ⅩⅤ Index
ⅩⅥ Bibliography