RHETORICAL MODES OF WRITING AP Lang Unit 1 Intro to Writing and Rhetoric

What is a Rhetorical Mode?  A structure or pattern that helps the writer achieve their purpose for writing.  Rhetorical modes can be paired into 3 categories:  Argumentative  Informational  Narrative

What are the argumentative rhetorical modes?  Cause and Effect:  To tell readers the reasons for or consequences of your subject, explaining why or what if.

What are the argumentative rhetorical modes?  Compare/Contrast:  To explain or evaluate your subject by helping readers see the similarities and differences between it and another subject.

What are the argumentative rhetorical modes?  Induction/Deduction  Induction = the use of specific examples are used to reach a general conclusion. If you didn’t like cabbage, corn, or carrots as a kid, your parents might have concluded that you didn’t like vegetables.  Deduction = the use of a generalization to draw a conclusion about a specific case. If you saw on Twitter that WCPS schools are closed due to snow, you could conclude that you won’t have to go to school.

What are the informational rhetorical modes?  Definition:  To show readers the meaning of your subject—its boundaries and its distinctions from other subjects.

What are the informational rhetorical modes?  Division/Classification:  To explain conclusion about your subject by showing readers the subject’s parts/elements or the kinds of groups it can be sorted into.

What are the informational rhetorical modes?  Example/Illustration  To use specific, relevant, convincing examples or illustrations to provide clarity for your audience.  The intent of these examples or illustrations is to explain or convince your argument.

What are the informational rhetorical modes?  Process:  To inform readers how to do something or how something works—how a sequence of actions leads to a particular result.

What are the narrative rhetorical modes?  Analogy  The use of comparison to explain an idea that is complex or abstract.  Example: Christians explain their god through analogy. They say their god is like a father who loves his children and, thus, both punishes and rewards them.

What are the narrative rhetorical modes?  Description:  To help readers understand your subject through the evidence of their senses—sight, sound, touch, smell, taste  Must determine if your purpose is subjective or objective before you start writing.  Consider your audience!

What are the narrative rhetorical modes?  Narrative  To tell a story about your subject, possibly to enlighten readers or to explain something to them.  What, Who, When, Where, Why, How?  Anecdote = short, entertaining account of a single incident.