Rhetorical Modes Matrix

Associate Program Material
Appendix C

Rhetorical Modes Matrix

Rhetorical modes are methods for effectively communicating through language and writing. Complete the following chart to identify the purpose and structure of the various rhetorical modes used in academic writing. Provide at least 2 tips for writing each type of rhetorical device.

Rhetorical Mode | * Purpose – 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 is the Art of storytelling and the purpose is to tell a story. Anytime you tell a story to a friend or family member. | Chronological order. | 1. Create strong details. 2. Know the difference between fact and fiction. | Illustration | Illustration shows or demonstrates everything clearly. | Use of evidence. | 1. Always know how much evidence is needed. 2. Choose a variety of different words to keep your reader engaged. | Description | Description describes a person, place, or object in detail. | Sensory details. | 1. Avoid empty descriptors, which are adjectives that mean different things to different people. 2. Every part of the essay should contain the use of the five senses. | Classification | Classification breaks down the subject into smaller, more manageable, specific parts. | To be organized in subcategories. | 1. Know as much about the subject as you can, so you can bring it down to small and more interesting parts. 2. Make sure you can break down any given subject down into least three different ways. | Processanalysis | Process analysis will open with a discussion of what the process is going to be. | Chronological order. | 1. Always have someone to read your analysis to make sure it makes sense. 2. Time transition phrases are helpful to organize your steps and will help orient the reader. | Definition | The purpose of definition is to simply define something. | General discussion of the term to be defined. | 1. Try to think of concepts that you have a personal stake in. 2. The content affects the meaning and usage of the words. | Compare andcontrast | Analyze two subjects by either comparing them, contrasting them, or both. | Organize by themselves, one then the other, or by individual points. | 1. Do not state the obvious but rather to find the different or same of the subjects. 2. State clearly what the thesis is about. | Cause andeffect | Cause and effect is to determine how various phenomena are related in terms of origins and results. (308) | It can be organized in two ways, do the cause first, then the effect or do the effect first, then the cause. | 1. Be sure that you have clear good evidence to support your claims. 2. Introduce the topic in an engaging way. | Persuasion | Persuasion is to convince, motivate, or move the reader to your side of the view or opinion. | The structure of a persuasive essay has five features which are introduction and thesis, opposing and qualifying ideas, strong evidence in support of claim, style and tone of language, and a compelling conclusion. (311) | 1. Do not form your thesis with negative claims. 2. Make sure you show both sides of an argument. |