Chapter 11: Modes of Rhetoric ENG 113: Composition I

Form Follows Function Form follows function = for any constructed or manufactured thing, the form (or shape) of the thing should be determined by the thing’s function (or purpose) The shape of a thing should be based on what that thing is expected to accomplish The same is true for writing! = form follows function

Modes of Rhetoric Modes of Rhetoric = the strategies and tactics that will help you clarify for the reader what the intent of your writing is Distinct ways of presenting ideas for the general purpose of informing, convincing, or persuading an audience Form follows function = strategy follows purpose

General versus Specific Modes The General Modes of Rhetoric If your purpose is to… Then your essay will be… Understand Inform Explain Enlighten Reveal Informative (Exposition) Judge Convince Inspire Seek argument Argumentative (Evaluation) Motivate Persuade Call to action (Proposal)

General versus Specific Modes General rhetorical mode = the overall structure of an essay = the skeleton Exposition, Argumentation, Evaluation, Proposal Specific rhetorical mode = specific tactics used along the way with a focused purpose = the specific muscles, organs that hold a skeleton together and make it function properly Comparing Describing Defining Etc. Because form always follows function, writers will choose a paragraph’s mode of rhetoric (form) by understanding the essential purpose of the paragraph (function)

The modes of Rhetoric Toolkit To choose the best mode of rhetoric for a specific paragraph, you will need to understand what you’re trying to accomplish in the paragraph Different modes of rhetoric are suited to different purposes The goal is to choose the best mode of rhetoric to accomplish the goal of the paragraph

The Modes of Rhetoric Toolkit Exemplification – examples and illustrations Provides useful examples that illustrate the point being made in the paragraph Answers the question such as? Narration – tells a meaningful story (often through the presentation of a detailed series of events in chronological order) Focuses on showing what particular things happened Answers the question what happened?

The Modes of Rhetoric Toolkit Description – explore the physical, sensory reality of a person, place, or thing Answers the questions what does it look like? Sound like? Smell like? Taste like? Feel like? Definition – asserts the essential truth of a word or phrase—or, most often, an idea Typically, this is done through a combination of restatement (using other words to explain the meaning) and examples (to show the reader what you mean) – other ways are through negation (defining what something is by explaining what it isn’t, through contrast), classification (defining by type), or comparison (defining something by explaining what it is similar to) Generally used to define abstract terms – terms whose meanings are arguable or interpretable—rather than concrete Answers the question what is it?

The Modes of Rhetoric Toolkit Comparison and Contrast – Comparison – used when a single paragraph seeks to highlight the significant similarities between two people, places, things, or ideas that most people might assume are different from each other Comparison is only used when it is worthwhile – it is not worthwhile to compare two items that everyone already agrees are similar Answers the question how are these two different things actually alike? Contrast – employed when a writer wishes to point out the significant differences between two people, places, things, or ideas that most people might assume are similar Contrast is only used when it is worthwhile – it is not worthwhile to contrast two items that everyone already agrees are different Answers the question how are these two similar things actually different?

The Modes of Rhetoric Toolkit Organization of Compare and Contrast Paragraphs Point-by-Point structure = presenting each specific point of similarity or difference in turn, one after the other Point 1 topic A Point 1 Topic B Point 2 Topic A Point 2 Topic B Point 3 Topic A Point 3 Topic B Block structure = presenting all point regarding Topic A and then all points about Topic B Point 1 Topic A, Point 2 Topic A, Point 3 Topic A Point 1 Topic B, Point 2 Topic B, Point 3 Topic B

The Modes of Rhetoric Toolkit A Causal Analysis = examines the reasons that a particular reality exists or existed Look back and explain why something happened Look at a present situation and explain why it is happening Typically organized chronologically (first this happens, which causes this other thing to happen, etc.) Answers the question why did/does that happen? Effect Analysis – close relative to the causal analysis Answers the question what did/does/will happen as a result? Can explore the effects of a past event (because that happened, this other thing happened) Can predict the effects of a current or future event (because this is happening, this other thing will happen – or if this thing happens, then this other thing will happen)

The Modes of Rhetoric Toolkit Process – explores a multistep operation by breaking the operation down into its individual steps Can be instructive – telling the reader how to perform the particular action Can be informative – showing the reader how a particular natural or mechanical occurrence works Answers the question how is it done? Or how does it work?

The Modes of Rhetoric Toolkit Classification – demonstrates that multiple people, places, objects, or ideas can be sorted into categories based on clearly identified criteria and sound reasoning Answers the question What kinds are they? Or Where do they fit? Always sorts its subjects into three or more categories Use comparison/contrast for two categories Division – takes a single subject and breaks it down into its component parts Answers the question What is it made of?

The Specific Modes of Rhetoric Exemplification Narration Description Definition Comparison Contrast Causal Analysis Effect Analysis Process Classification Division