Contemporary understandings and practices of adult literacy and adult basic education need to reestablish a substantial connection with ancient rhetoric as at once a political tradition, a culture of language use, a storehouse of metalanguage, and as an ensemble of pedagogic strategies and exercises. Developed in ancient Greece, rhetoric was for 2300 years the dominant form of education for ruling class men in all European communities. It was an education designed to cultivate and form the attributes of community citizens and leaders, and it trained boys and young men in the art of persuasive public speech. Rhetorical education was an education in cultural content called "inventio" and an education in language called "elocutio." The three genres of rhetoric, defined by Aristotle by their social contexts, included (1) epideictic rhetoric, a discourse of praise celebrating heroes and community values; (2) deliberative rhetoric, a discourse of advice designed to evaluate and determine the best course of action in cases of conflict and uncertainty; and (3) forensic rhetoric, which is judicial discourse used in accusing or defending those suspected of wrong-doing. Rhetoric was not used solely to teach language, but to find truth. It often culminated in rhetorical performance that was organized in five steps used to prepare an eloquent speech. Rhetoric can be used as a basis for understanding and improving student speech and thinking skills. (An example of the use of rhetoric in a workshop with Indigenous Australian adults beginning higher education studies is provided, along with an appendix illustrating rhetoric in student speech.) (KC)