Intro to rhetorical situation

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Understanding Writing:The Rhetorical Situation

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Rhetorical Situation

Writer Purpose Audience Topic Context

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Writer

your personal characteristics and interests affect what you write about and how you write about it

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Writer: factors which can affect your writing include

your age your experiences your gender your location your political beliefs your education your parents and

peers your religion

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Purpose: your reason for writing

to ___________ to inform to persuade to educate to call to action to entertain to shock

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Genre

category of writing examples: fiction,

autobiographical story, news article, review, editorial, analysis

genres hinge upon purpose and the needs of the projected audience

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Audience: to whom are you writing?

many of the same factors which affect the writer also affect the audience

age social class education

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Topic

whatever it is that you have selected to write about

may be broadened or narrowed, depending upon the length of the article and your level of interest

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Context

the “situation” which generates the need for writing

affected by time period

location current events cultural significance

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Rhetorical Situation

Writer Purpose Audience Topic Context

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What This Means

You need to be aware that a rhetorical situation exists EVERY TIME you write.

You need to adapt your writing depending upon your purpose and your audience.

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Where can you go for additional help with writing assignments?

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Heavilon 226 Grammar Hotline:

(765) 494-3723 Check our web site:

http://owl.english.purdue.edu Email brief questions:

owl@owl.english.purdue.edu

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