1. Defining the Rhetorical Situation
AP Language and Composition

2. Brainstorming
Think of and write down the name of a famous speech, essay, or document.

3. Brainstorming
Now: Imagine an alien found a copy of that speech, essay, or document. Assuming they could translate it into their language, would they be capable of understanding it? Why or why not?

4. Warm up…
What is an author’s assertion?

5. Warm-up
The assertion of an argument is, quite simply, what the author asserts.
Main idea/thesis of an argument.
What is the author claiming?

6. But…
Can you think of other relevant question?

7. Such as: Why is the author making the argument?
Who is making the argument, and to whom is it being made?
When and where is the argument being made?

8. Rhetorical Situation
intention
genre
persona
audience
subject
context

9. Rhetorical Situation
The three corners of the triangle overlap, and the intersection of those elements creates the rhetorical situation:
Context—Convergence of time, place, people, motivating forces
Genre—Medium to transmit message
Intention—The aim or purpose of delivering the message

10. PEAP
When defining the rhetorical situation, we will focus on synthesizing:
The Persona of the Speaker/Writer
How does he or she want to be perceived?
What does he or she presume about his audience?
Exigence (The situation that demands action)
Time
Place
People
Events
Motivating Forces
Audience
Knowledge
Attitudes
Beliefs
Purpose (What action the speaker aims to achieve)
Infinitive phrase (to ______)

11. Motivating Forces Reason behind an action, decision, or thought love
jealousy
affection
anger
pride
loyalty
greed
guilt
duty
ambition
conscience
envy
loneliness
vanity
gratitude
compassion
revenge
fear
survival
friendship
shame
Reason behind an action, decision, or thought

12. Example for “On Language”
A solid assertion
In “On Language,” George Carlin argues that euphemistic language is dangerous.
An assertion that includes EVERY element of the rhetorical situation
In “On Language,” an exasperated George Carlin lambasts the language of those who would seek to cover up uncomfortable or inconvenient truths with euphemistic language. He warns Americans that such language leaves us susceptible to deception and urges us to always consider the ideas that words may be covering up.

13. An effective assertion for Smith
In his 1924 address to Congress, a beleaguered and misguided Senator Ellison Smith fights to defend the purity of a white American identity by beseeching policymakers to “shut the door” and end immigration with the Quota Act.