Understanding the Rhetorical Situation: A.P.P.L.E. eswalker A.P.P.L.E. 11/29/2018
Why is it important? When we write for others and that writing is based on previous reading and listening we have done, we enter a “conversation.” In a sense, all academic knowledge is a written conversation. This written conversation requires a careful analysis so that our contribution to it is credible. A.P.P.L.E. 11/29/2018
How can I use it? You can use the APPLE rhetorical analysis in any communicative situation, whether you are participating or simply observing. By doing so, you will find that you will improve both your analytical and communication skills. A.P.P.L.E. 11/29/2018
Audience Why is audience important to consider? We shape our language according to the needs and expectations of our audience. We also determine which type of evidence is appropriate depending on our audience. A.P.P.L.E. 11/29/2018
Purpose Before we begin a writing task, we must understand what our purpose is. Here are some common writing purposes: To summarize To narrate To inform To explain To persuade To report To define To classify A.P.P.L.E. 11/29/2018
Presentation (or Genre) Once we know who our audience is and what our purpose is, we need to know what writing presentation or genre is appropriate. These are some common writing genres: Personal essay Annotated bibliography/summary Research paper Reaction/review Documented argument Business letter/memo Report A.P.P.L.E. 11/29/2018
Language We also adapt and shape our language according to our audience and purpose. For example, our language might be Informal Formal Descriptive Precise Technical Scientific Bureaucratic Legalistic Our language should always be clear! A.P.P.L.E. 11/29/2018
Evidence 1 Unlike rhetorical situations that involve family and friends, in academic and professional settings we must always have evidence to support and develop our claims. A.P.P.L.E. 11/29/2018
Evidence 2 Typical forms of evidence include Facts Statistics Examples/illustrations Appeals (to authority, to emotion) Anecdotes Personal experience Logic Graphs, charts, pictures Quotations (e.g. of experts) A.P.P.L.E. 11/29/2018
In summary Understanding the rhetorical situation is key to our academic and professional success as writers. A.P.P.L.E. 11/29/2018