RHETORICAL MODES

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RHETORICAL MODES

• Quick Review

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What are Rhetorical Modes?

• Different methods of writing which writers
  incorporate into their writing to make it more
  effective
• Writers use the modes to their advantage as a
  writer (to make their essay stronger) and for
  the reader (to help them connect with the essay
  better)
• Choose the mode wisely for each paper wouldnt
  want much narration in a typical research paper
• These modes are often found within one another.
• Example rarely will you find just a process
  analysis paper without a little bit of definition
  and description.

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What are the Nine Rhetorical Modes?

• Illustration
• Description
• Narration
• Definition
• Comparison/Contrast
• Cause/Effect
• Division/Classification
• Argumentation
• Process Analysis

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Illustration

• Explains a general statement by means of one or
  more specific examples
• Examples are specific cases or stories which make
  a general statement more believable.
• Usually used in conjunction with some kind of
  analysis or argumentation
• Use illustrations (specific reasons) to support
  an argument

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Description

• Describes something a person, a place, or an
  object
• Captures it in words so others can imagine it or
  see it in the mind's eye
• Uses descriptive examples that make use of the
  senses (sight, smell, hearing, taste, and touch)
  to convey an image or represent an idea

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Narration

• Tells the story of what happened, the specific
  events that happened, and the people who were
  involved
• Uses organized facts and details in a clear
  chronological or time order
• May use first, second or third person in any
  narrative, but be consistent in your use of
  personal pronouns

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Definition

• Explains what a word, idea, or topic means
• Uses either synonyms or direct definitions to
  further explain meanings
• Must be very clear when defining something for
  readers to keep misunderstandings to a minimum!

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Comparison/contrast

• Comparison examines the ways in which two
  persons, places, or things are similar
• Contrast examines the ways in which they are
  different
• Helps the reader understand one person, place, or
  thing in relation to another
• Many times the goal of a comparison is for
  evaluation

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Cause/effect

• Examines why something happened or what its
  consequences were or will be
• Refers to a direct relationship between events
• Answers the question "why did something happen,
  and/or what results did it have?"

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Division/Classification

• Gathers items, ideas, or information into types,
  kinds, or categories according to a single basis
  of division
• Division/Classification essays often also use
  Definition
• Example You might start with a paper about
  sports and divide it up into three particular
  sports baseball, football, and basketball. You
  could then classify these sports by their
  popularity in the American culture.

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Process Analysis

• Describes how to do something, how a particular
  event occurs, or how something works
• Instructions are like a Process Analysis essay
• Think of How to make a peanut butter sandwich

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Argumentation

• Also known as Persuasion
• Involves the development of the writer's own
  argument
• Sometimes involves using outside sources and
  references to other writers
• The primary function of Argumentation is for the
  writer to articulate his/her opinion about the
  issue being discussed.