1. RHETORICAL MODES
A Rhetorical Mode is a strategy, a way or method of presenting a subject through writing or speech.
Rhetorical modes help develop ideas, order them according to certain patterns, and also achieve a particular effect in the reader.

2. NARRATION
DESCRIPTION
CLASSIFICATION and DIVISION
DEFINITION
ILLUSTRATION
COMPARISON and CONTRAST
PROCESS
ANALOGY
CAUSE and EFFECT

3. NARRATION
Narration is used to present events in the past, the present, or even the imagined future.
Your narrative may:
focus on the facts, as, for example, in presenting historical background
recreate an experience for readers, as in a personal essay
tell an anecdote to introduce a discussion or illustrate a point
envision images of the future, as in a proposal for a new policy or project

4. DESCRIPTION
Description is used to create images of a place or object, sketch a person’s character, or provide images that evoke and share a feeling.
Subjective description: emphasizes the emotional impact of scenes, as in a personal essay
Objective description: sticks to the physical details, as in a scientific or technical report

5. CLASSIFICATION / DIVISION
Classification is a useful way of grouping individual entities into identifiable categories based on their similarities. It offers an opportunity to explore similarities within groups and explain the differences and relationships between groups.

6. CLASSIFICATION / DIVISION
Division breaks a whole entity into its parts, and offers a chance to explain that entity or subject in detail and to highlight the relationships of its parts.

7. DEFINITION
When introducing a term or concept to the readers, the writer must, clearly and accurately, define it.
Synonym – offer a word or expression that has the same or nearly the same meaning
Example - offer and example that has all central or typical characteristics of the term we want to define
Stipulation - when no fixed or standard definition is available and when some arbitrary specification is necessary to fix the meaning of a key term in the essay

8. ILLUSTRATION
The Rhetorical Mode of Illustration refers to the use of detailed examples to make abstract or general ideas or concepts more concrete and specific.

9. COMPARISON and CONTRAST
A Comparison and Contrast essay or paragraph explores the similarities and differences between two or more items, ideas, trends, works, etc. When we compare, we point out the similarities between two items, and when we contrast, we show their differences.

10. COMPARISON and CONTRAST
In arranging comparison paragraphs you can employ:
subject-by-subject organization - discuss each subject in its entirety
point-by-point organization – examine each comparable feature for first one subject and then the other

11. PROCESS
We use the Rhetorical Mode of Process when we need to provide readers with directions or explain how a mechanism or procedure works.
To explain such processes effectively, label the steps or stages clearly, and present the explanation in chronological order.

12. ANALOGY
An Analogy compares topics that at first glance seem quite different.
A well-chosen analogy can make unfamiliar or technical information seem more commonplace and understandable. To be effective, an analogy must be familiar to the reader, and its features or functions must be congruent with those of the target.

13. CAUSE and EFFECT
The Cause and Effect strategy is employed when we need to trace the causes of a particular event or situation, to describe its effects, or both.
Logical fallacy:
Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc – after this therefore because of this - Claims about causation are based simply on an observed temporal sequence
MAIMON, PERITZ, YANCEY THE NEW McGRAW-HILL HAND BOOK 2007