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?