Introduction to Rhetoric

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Introduction to Rhetoric

• English 202c

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The Rhetorical Triangle
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The Rhetorical Triangle
Audience
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The Rhetorical Triangle
Audience
Rhetor
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The Rhetorical Triangle
Audience
Subject
Rhetor
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The Rhetorical Triangle
Audience
Document
Subject
Rhetor
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The Rhetorical Triangle
Audience
Document
Subject
Rhetor
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How do you Focus your writing?
Audience
Document
Subject
Rhetor
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How do you Focus your writing?
Audience
Document
Writer-Centered
Subject
Rhetor
The writer explains the subject in whatever way
he or she understands it, using whatever
evidence, organization, and vocabulary seem most
natural.
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How do you Focus your writing?
Audience
Document
Writer-Centered
Message-Centered
Subject
Rhetor
The writer produces a document that imitates
typical documents on similar subjects, choosing
evidence, organization, and vocabulary that mimic
other successful documents.
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How do you Focus your writing?
Audience
Document
Writer-Centered
Message-Centered
Subject
Rhetor
Audience-Centered
The writer makes choices about evidence,
organization and vocabulary that will lead the
audience to a clear and thorough understanding of
the subject.
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Audience-Centered Writing
Audience
Document
Subject
Rhetor
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Audience-Centered Writing
Audience
Document

• Consider Audiences
• Needs

Subject
Rhetor
What does the audience need or want? Why are they
reading this document? What will motivate them to
take action? What are their priorities?
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Audience-Centered Writing
Audience
Document

• Consider Audiences
• Needs
• Attitudes

Subject
Rhetor
How does the audience feel about your subject
matter? About you? Are they willing to listen, or
reluctant? Will they value your experience and
judgment, or not?
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Audience-Centered Writing
Audience
Document

• Consider Audiences
• Needs
• Attitudes
• Knowledge

Subject
Rhetor
How much expertise does the audience have in your
subject? More than you? Less? What other voices
have they heard on the same subject? What kinds
of knowledge will they rely on to make a decision?
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Audience-Centered Writing
Audience
Document

• Consider Audiences
• Needs
• Attitudes
• Knowledge

Subject
Rhetor
You must understand where your audience is coming
from if you hope to persuade them!
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Harmonious Balance
Audience
Document
Subject
Rhetor