Rhetorical Mode Explain When or Why Each

Rhetorical Mode

Explain when or why each rhetorical mode is used.

Structure -- Explain what organizational method works best with each rhetorical mode.

Provide 2 tips for writing in each rhetorical mode.

Narration

Narration tells what happened.

Narration uses chronological order to help a story unfold. It is like a list of events in paragraph form.

The introductory paragraph provides an overview of the story to be told. Active voice is best.

Illustration

To clarify abstract ideas, writers use illustration to facilitate understanding on the part of the reader.

The writer uses words and phrases to help the reader get the picture: "It is as though…" "Imagine that one has…"

Sometimes more than one example is needed to fully illustrate the concept. The writer must create an illustration that is familiar to most readers in order to make the point.

Description

Description provides greater detail about a person or event. The reader should be able to create a picture in the mind's eye.

Description papers can be as short as a single paragraph. The writer can move in a certain direction (such as head to toe when describing a person). The format used by journalists -- who, what, when, where, why -- is also useful in organizing a description paper.

Writers can make their work more interesting and complete by describing both physical attributes and action. As shown in the chart at left, there are several structures the writer can use for description; more than one structure c an be used in a single paper.

Classification

The subject is identified and divided into parts and sub-parts.

The structure of a classification paper is generally complex. The writer may use elements from "Extended Definition," "Comparison/Contrast," and "Descriptions" papers.

The writer needs to identify the subject being classified as well as how the classification is being made. An audience has certain expectations depending on the context in which the writing is being read. For example, one would write a different paper about the game "Mousetrap" if writing about a favorite childhood toy or if writing a paper for a physics class.

Process

analysis

This format is used in "how-to" articles, so the reader understands how to do something.

The steps must be presented in order. There has to be enough detail so the reader can get a clear understanding of what is to be done.

The writer's task is to create a clear visual for the reader. The writer should be very familiar with the task s/he is writing about in order to communicate clearly to an audience.

Definition

This type of paper expands on a dictionary definition to provide a great deal more information. Writers can describe either physical objects or abstract concepts.

First, the writer composes a short introductory paragraph that tells what is being defined. The writer explains the classification system that will be used.

The definition paper is generally short. The writer can include other modes of writing to make the definition clear. The conclusion can include an interesting fact or piece of trivia to help the reader remember the topic.

Compare and contrast

Compare/Contrast papers shows how subjects are alike and/or different.

The introductory paragraph tells the reader what to expect (compare, contrast or both). The writer must briefly describe the people, objects or ideas to be compared. The body of the paper compares, contrasts, or does both.

A strong pening paragraph clues the reader to the purpose of the paper, which is to explain and also to provoke the reader to think. As with the definition paper, a strong conclusion will make the comparison/contrast memorable to the reader.

Cause and effect

The cause-and-effect paper connects a chain of events and shows how people, objects and/or events are related to one another.

The sequence of the paper must be logical so relationships can be understood clearly.

Relationships between cause and effect must be logical and true. For example, if one stands barefoot in the snow, one will get cold feet. However, just because someone has cold feet, it does not mean they were out in the snow. It could be a cold day, but it is also possible that it is a warm day but the person has poor circulation.