English 325: Dimensions of Writing and Literature Point of View in Nonfiction Writing: Examining You

1
English 325 Dimensions of Writing and
LiteraturePoint of View in Nonfiction
WritingExamining Your Point of View as a
Writer

• Jim Henry
• 20 October 2004

2
Overview

• 1. My Background and Viewpoint(s)
• 2. The Discipline of Rhetoric
• 3. The Rhetorical Triangle (Ethos, Pathos, Logos)
• 4. Rhetoric and Writing Instruction in 20th
  Century America
• 4. Rhetoric and Composition in the GMU English
  Department
• 5. Nonfiction Writing Many Genres (Genre
  Definition and a Brief Look at the Nonfiction
  Universe)

3
Overview, contd.

• 6. Defining Point of View as You Might Apply it
  to Nonfiction Writing
• 7. Musing on Conceptual Points of View and
  Interest in Nonfiction Genres. . .
• 8. Elaborating Your Point of View in Your
  Classroom Writing

4
My Background and Viewpoint(s)

• Field Composition and Rhetoric
• Subfields Writing in Organizational Settings,
  Ethnography, Professional Writing, Technical
  Writing
• For example
• Writing Workplace Cultures Site
• Responsible Rhetorics Site

5
The Discipline of Rhetoric

• Aristotles Rhetoric (definition)
• Petraglia-Bahris Overview
• Composition preceded Oratory in a set format
  invention, arrangement, style, memorization and
  delivery
• Genres eulogies, censures, character sketches,
  comparisons, description, theses, declamations

6
The Rhetorical Triangle (Ethos, Pathos, Logos)

• The Rhetorical Triangle as a Valuable Prompt
• Ethos gt Author (knowledgeable, benevolent . .
  .)
• Pathos gt Audience (characteristics
• Logos gt Aim or Purpose

7
Rhetoric and Writing Instruction in 20th-Century
America

• Early rhetorics taught primarily argument and
  modes definition, description, exposition,
  argument
• In early years, Rhetoric departments often taught
  writing with their demise, English departments
  took over
• 20th century economics Taylorized workplace
  specialization

8
Rhetoric and Composition in English Departments
and at GMU

• Modern Language Association and its organization
  of English Departments
• At GMU
• Faculty
• Concentrations
• Graduate Study

9
Nonfiction Writing Many Genres

• Genres Many!
• The Nonfiction Universe Website

10
Point of View Definition 1

• The perceptual or conceptual position in terms
  of which the narrated situations and events are
  presented.
• -Prince, Gerald. A Dictionary of Narratology.
  Lincoln London U of Nebraska P, 1987.

11
Point of View Definition 2

• (a) literal through someones eyes (perception)
• (b) figurative through someones world view
  (ideology, conceptual system, Weltanschauung,
  etc.)
• (c) transferred from someones interest-vantage
  (characterizing his general interest, profit,
  welfare, well-being, etc.)
• -Chatman, Seymour. Story and Discourse
  Narrative Structure in Fiction and Film. Ithaca
  Cornell UP, 1978. 151

12
Points of View by Genre, Nonfiction Writing

• Nonfiction Universe

13
The Genre of the Academic Paper

• Ethos, Pathos, Logos?
• Document Review Sheets as a Prompt
• Townhall Example
• GMU Writing Center Resources
• Elaborating your conceptual point of view as you
  elaborate your paper