Assessing the Rhetorical Situation:

Audience, Purpose, & Process

What is a Rhetorical Situation?

–Rhetoric: Using language effectively to persuade, inform, educate, or entertain

–Rhetorical Situation: The circumstances in which you communicate.

The Rhetorical Situation

The Writer• Your culture, personal characteristics and

interests affect what you write about and how you write it.

AUDIENCETo whom are you choosing to write?

Creating an Audience

1. What is the person’s name, age, and profession? Describe this person’s physical appearance.

2. What is the person’s current attitude toward this topic?

3. How much does this person know about the topic?4. Describe the person’s value system.5. How does this person’s value system influence his

or her attitude toward the topic?6. What is your relationship to the audience?

Purpose• WHY are you writing? To:– express feelings– explore an idea – entertain or amuse – inform people or explain an idea– argue for or against an idea in order to persuade

others – evaluate or problem solve– mediate or negotiate a solution

Choosing a Topic• Begin with a general

subject, question or concern

• Narrow and focus (subtopic)

• Pick an assertion (subject)

ColonialismImpact on

Native Populations

Negative impacts of

assimilation

Focus Form

Colonialism

Religion

Economics Slavery

Impact on Native

Population

•British wanted religious freedom

•Missions• British & Spaniards were involved in triangular trade

•British were agriculturally based

•Indentured slaves

•Slave Trade

•Disease

•Extinction

•Assimilation

•Cooperation

PLANNING

Planning: Other Considerations

• Understanding the Assignment– Do you thoroughly understand the question?– Underline the requirements

• Sources of Information– Where will your information come from?

• Length and document design– Do you have specific length specifications?– What length seems appropriate?– Have you been assigned a specific format?