1. Chapter 11: Modes of Rhetoric
ENG 113: Composition I

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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)

5. 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)

6. 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

7. 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?

8. 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?

9. 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?

10. 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

11. 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)

12. 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?

13. 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?

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