Chapter 5: Reading Rhetorically Module One
What is Rhetorical Reading? Rhetorical reading is being aware of the effect a text is intended to have on you Rhetorical readers analyze how a text works persuasively Rhetorical readers think critically about whether to agree with or challenge the text’s intentions
Why is College Level Reading so Difficult? Vocabulary Unfamiliar technical terms Specialized meanings Unfamiliar Rhetorical Context New topics Unfamiliar Genre Textbooks, trade books, scholarly articles, scientific reports, historical documents, etc. Lack of Background Knowledge New authors Assume to know subject matter
Strategies for Reading Ask questions What is the purpose of this writing? Who is the audience? What is the genre? What is the motivation behind it? Take notes Make marginal notes as you read Use a dictionary Look up unfamiliar words or words you can’t define by the context alone
Strategies for Reading cont. Watch your reading speed Speed up when you are skimming or scanning for information Slow down for complete comprehension or detailed analysis Read the text multiple times First, read quickly to get an overview of the topic Second, read the text again while looking out for topic sentences and main points Lastly, read for details and specific understanding of the topic
With the Grain or Against? Reading with the grain allows you to empathize with the writer and see the world through their eyes Useful when writing summaries or analyzing points of view Reading against the grain prompts you to ask questions and perhaps disagree with the writer Useful when writing strong responses and arguments See strategies on p. 87
Summaries and Strong Responses Two types of academic writing: The summary The strong response Review handouts and PowerPoints