Origins of Rhetorosaurus

I [David Ruaune] have a background in literature, poetry and poetics, and literary theory. As an outgrowth of my interest in literary theory, I became fascinated with uncovering the wealth of insight within the classical terminology, and developed an interest in converging on the most rational classification system for the various devices. Initially this was done with pencil and paper, but I later compiled the (smaller than now) data into a flat one-table database. Phil, with an interest in rhetoric and an established background in programming and web design, restructured this work into a full relational database, and Phil and John, who has a background in art and graphic design, developed the Rhetorosaurus website. We are all currently working to enhance the website, and exploring the logical classification of rhetorical devices. The current mission statement of the site is -

	Rhetorosaurus provides a comprehensive database of rhetorical terms where interrogations of rhetorical terms are searchable, even search engine friendly to broaden its accessibility.
	Rhetorosaurus is designed as a resource for anyone interested in rhetoric and its associated terminology, perhaps through their academic or educational role, but more widely through general interest or curiosity.
	As an ongoing project we are currently redeveloping a taxonomically classified set of cross-references for each rhetorical term.
	We endeavour to uncover the multi-dimensional factors associated with rhetorical terms to identify their conceptual heritage and underpinnings (psychological and innate in language devices). This ambitious project hopes by analysis of factors to determine the most effective rhetorical usages for distinct users and contexts. By these means, we hope to invoke hitherto unrealised rhetorical usages, schemes of analysis and theoretical vistas.