Encomium

Encomium refers to a rhetorical form focused on deliberate praise. Originating in ancient educational and literary settings, an encomium organizes material to emphasize noble qualities, beneficial actions, or exemplary character. Rather than offering balanced evaluation, it selects and arranges details to present its subject in a positive light. Encomia may praise individuals, cities, ideas, or abstract qualities, and they often follow recognizable patterns, such as origin, deeds, and impact. The purpose is not analysis or argument but the shaping of admiration and approval through structured praise.