Chapter 2: The Writing Situation ENG 113: Composition I

The Purpose Writing Many purposes Main purpose often = to argue To inform To entertain To please To conduct business To express emotion Main purpose often = to argue Assert that something is true or that it is good or bad Urge a particular course of action

Rhetoric Rhetoric = type of writing whose purpose is meaningful discussion and consideration of ideas Reputation of rhetoric = bad! Politics = “oh, that’s just more rhetoric” Imply = words are empty or don’t mean much Reality of rhetoric = powerful tool! Rhetoric = Greek word rhetor “orator” or “teacher” or “lecturer”

Rhetorical Situation Rhetorical situation = the environment in which the argument is made The writing context Context is important Gain true understanding of a text you read Create a text that can be understood when you write Writing Text = no! Text –plus = text+ Text + writer Text + reader Text + context

The Communication Triangle Text Reader Writer Context

The Communication Triangle Writer, reader, and text = required players Missing = no communication Context = “like the air we breathe” Time Place Situation Different context = different meaning(s) Communication Triangle = creation of meaning

Communication Triangle Communication is dynamic Writers often focus on the text Writers should also consider the reader The reader’s response to the text can impact its meaning Consider the Communication Triangle when writing Writer/Speaker (you) Message (the text) Audience (readers)

Elements of The Rhetorical Situation Exigence What happens to compel the argument? People Who is involved in the exigence? What are their roles? Relations What are the connections or power relations among the people involved? Location Where does the discourse occur? Speaker Who is compelled to make an argument? Audience Whom does the speaker address? Why? Method How does the speaker address the audience? Institutions What are “the rules” governing all of the elements?

Audience Awareness in College Writing College = controlled environment Often a predetermined audience Classmates, Professors, Other people in the field/discipline/profession Important Considerations What do you know about your audience? How well informed are they about the topic? Do they agree or disagree with your stand? Friendly audience = well-informed and agrees Hostile audience = well-informed and disagrees Neutral audience = neither agrees nor disagrees; skeptical Your intended audience should shape the text that you write = you need to convince the reader that your argument is strong