Rhetorical situation and its contexts

Okinawa, Japan

Q1. What is your chosen topic?

Okinawa is a famous cluster of islands that is part of Japan. It is historic for a number of reasons, including a famous battle during World War II as well as its long-lived residents.

Q2. What personal angle can you present on this topic?

Often called the Hawaii of Japan because of its scenic beauty and history, this profile will focus on providing an introduction to the area, including tourist attractions, and also offer an overview of Japanese culture in general to readers, including Japanese religion (Buddhism and Shintoism), popular festivals, religion, and food.

Q3. What is your purpose for writing?

Japan has a very unique culture but the culture of Okinawa is particularly distinct; it is the birthplace of karate and has some of the longest-lived citizens of the world (Southerden). This will hopefully generate interest in tourism as well as a desire to learn more about the culture in my readership.

Analyzing Your Readers

There has been an increasing interest in travel to Japan in recent years. This article will be positioned to reach a readership of potential travelers or people who simply wish to learn more about the unique culture of these islands. Okinawa is often an area of interest in Japan because it was a site of a famous battle in World War II. But it is important to get to know the nation on its own terms. Other interests, such as healthy diet, scuba diving, and karate, have also generated curiosity about the culture of Okinawa (Southerden). Readers may not have deep background knowledge about the area but will hopefully have an open mind about acquiring new knowledge, particularly if they considering traveling to the area.

The target audience for travel writing to Japan is likely to be young-to-middle-aged, reasonably affluent, and educated. A general overview of the topic area, enough to pique reader notice, is required, as well as information that would be of interest to a foreigner. Unfamiliar words and terms should be explained. The reader should not be assumed to have too much of a background in the history and culture of the region, versus knowledge of Japan in general. Using metaphors, analogies, and anecdotes may be useful rhetorical techniques.

Reflecting on the Role of the Writer

When writing about a different culture, the writer has a responsibility to show culture sensitivity. Even when constructing a general information piece, the writer should avoid stereotyping the culture he or she is profiling. Particularly in regards to addressing the region’s history, the writer must be sensitive to the native perception of that history, even while keeping in mind that the local audience may have a different perspective. The writer should inform the reader but whenever possible include quotes from local residents to let the culture and people speak for themselves. The writer should also strive to counteract misconceptions that the reader might have about the culture.

The writer must tread a delicate balance between sounding like an authority on the subject enough to generate trust but not so much that the writer exceeds his or her authority. The writer must also be careful to have all of his or her facts as accurate as possible, if the reader will be using it to potentially construct his or her travel plans in the future. The writer should also ensure that information is up-to-date if any information is offered about places to stay or local festivals.


Works Cited

Southerden, Louise. “Twenty Reasons to Visit Okinawa.” Traveler. Web. 7 May 2018. http://www.traveller.com.au/twenty-reasons-to-visit-okinawa-2ghgf