Four Basic Learning Goals Rhetorical Knowledge Critical Thinking Writing Process Knowledge of Conventions

Rhetorical Knowledge There are FIVE main points of Rhetorical Knowledge: – Audience- what expectations and needs do your potential readers have? – Purpose- to entertain, to inform, to persuade – Writer’s Voice and Tone- Writer’s personality or voice; writer’s attitude toward the subject or tone – Context, Medium, Genre- circumstances for writing, physical method for writing, and form of writing.

Rhetorical Knowledge The Rhetorical Situation: – There are five points to the rhetorical situation Who is the writer? What is the purpose? Who is the audience? What is the topic? What is the context or occasion?

Rhetorical Knowledge The Rhetorical Triangle – There are three basic ways to reach your audience. They can be used together. Ethos- An appeal to the ethical nature of the author. Logos- An appeal of logic. Pathos- An emotional appeal.

Critical Thinking Engaging in critical thinking means examining an idea from many different angles. Prewriting techniques help authors use critical thinking skills when creating a document. Another type of critical thinking is critical reading.

Critical Thinking Critical Reading – Reading is a basic skill for research. Critical readers follow these steps: Preview the material – Subject – Fact of publication – Author – Preliminary ideas

Critical Thinking Critical Reading- Step Two Reading – Read through once. – Go back over the reading making notes to grasp the major ideas and the connections as well as asking questions.

Critical Thinking Critical Reading- Step Three Summarizing – Summarize the article in your own words. – Check the original to be sure you have all the major points in your summary.

The Writing Process In order to write effectively, writers follow a process. The basic steps are: Generating a topic Creating a thesis Research Organizing ideas/ drafting Revising/ redrafting Editing and proofreading

Knowledge of Conventions These are the basics of writing. Spelling Grammar Formatting (MLA) Word choice Use of white space

Expository Essay Topic Before you begin the writing process, you must select a topic that is interesting to you and your readers. Inexperienced writers sometimes make the mistake of attempting to write about a topic that is too broad. Ask yourself the following questions: Which aspect of this topic is most interesting to me? What do I want to know more about? Chances are your readers will feel the same way.

Possible Topics Healthful eating Oil and gas prices Education Media in the courtroom Cosmetic surgery Tattoos or body piercing Language in the United States A topic of your choice, approved by your instructor