Rhetorical Modes of Writing

RHETORICAL MODES OF WRITING

	Purpose	Audience	Content	Style	Voice	Organization
Description	To describe a person, thing, place or event in detail e.g. (1) to express what a thing looks like, sounds like, feels like, smells like or tastes like; (2)  other illustrative detail such as such as the appearance, personalities and behaviours of characters etc. (3) giving in depth detail about time of day, feelings etc. Effective use of description should help the reader develop a vivid  mental picture and idea of images and feelings etc.	The Audience for this mode of writing is the general public. However based on the purpose for writing, a writer may write for a specific group of persons e.g. children, teenagers, young adults, adults.	Narratives of the short story type, e.g. thrillers, adventure. Other examples include journal writing, poetry etc. Descriptive writing is also characterized by sensory details which appeal to the physical senses and details that appeal to the readers emotional, physical or intellectual sensibilities.	Description uses tools such as figurative language. Nouns and verbs are used. Strong adjectives, adverbs and descriptive phrases are featured. Sentences vary in length.	Based on the topic and purpose for writing, the writer may have a different voice. The voice should be engaging and must be appealing to the readers senses and emotions, whether it is happy, scary, sad, tragic, funny, etc. This rhetorical mode is usually written in written in the first person, that is, using "I." However, third person ("he," "she," or "it") is also used.	This mode is usually arranged spatially and also chronologically, that is showing the reader where things are located from the perspective of  the writer, whether the reader moves from right to left or top to bottom etc. The writing should be organized in such a way that will set a mood in the reader as the reader should have a clear idea of what I being described.
Narration	The purpose of narration is to tell a story (fact or fiction) or narrate an event or series of events.  Narration is also useful for sequencing or putting details and information into some kind of logical order, usually chronologically.	The audience is anyone who knows little or nothing about the event but can understand it easily once it is explained properly.	This rhetorical mode is generally based on the 5 W’S- who, what, when, where, why or how. In this mode, one may need to explain a sequence of events, event by event. In narration, a writer uses insight, creativity, drama, suspense, humor, fantasy and other crafts to create a central theme or impression. The storyline should be easy to follow.  Examples of narrative writing include memoirs, anecdotes, autobiographies, novels, oral histories, short stories.	This mode usually uses the tools for descriptive writings. Like description, narratives need to have a rich texture of details so that the reader is seeing, hearing, smelling, and touching. The reader should experience the story, not simply hear it.	Narratives can be written in first, second or third person. The narrator of a story has to use a clear and pleasing voice that leads the reader into the story.  The reader should feel comfortable with the vocabulary, the sensibility and the reliability of the author from the very first words. The narrative voice should show the writer's personality and should evoke different feelings and emotions from the reader. Strong and varied vocabulary should be used.	Should present a list of events in the order that they happened, except that it is written in paragraph form.  Narration usually allows the reader too see a clear sequencing of events.
Exposition	The purpose of exposition is to explain and analyze information by presenting an idea, relevant information/evidence  and appropriate discussion.  A type of writing that is used to explain, describe, give information, or inform. It is important to note that expository writing explains, and does not present an argument.	The audience should be a group that is interested in what is going to be discussed and persons who also know little to nothing on the topic but is able to understand what the information is clearly presented.	Types of expository writing include cause and effect, classification and division, comparison and contrast, definition, process analysis. An effective expository piece has a clear, central presentation of ideas, examples or definitions that enhance the focus developed through a carefully crafted reader's understanding. The expository writing should explain something, that is, provide readers with information worth knowing and thinking about. Therefore, the quality of content, which is the significance of the writer's topic, the depth of the writer’s knowledge and analysis of the topic  and the appropriateness of the writer’s discussion and treatment of the topic should be clear and understandable.  Examples include business letters, personal letters, text books etc.	Has a clear, central presentation of idea, examples or definitions that enhance the focus of the essay. The essay should be objective and the writer’s stance on the topic should not be reflected. The essay must not be driven by emotion.	The passive voice is used as the writer should not taking any stance or voice any opinions. The voice should also be lively and engaging to keep the reader interested in what is being discussed.	The text is organized around one topic and developed according to a pattern or combination of patterns.  Since clarity requires strong organization, one of the most important mechanisms to improve skills in exposition is to improve the organization of the text. Organization (1) The introductory paragraphs attempt to arouse reader interest by providing background information on the topic, stressing the significance of the topic, or presenting one or more startling facts. Introductory paragraphs should lead logically to the thesis, which usually appears at the end of the introductory paragraph or paragraphs, though not always. (2)  Middle (Supporting) Paragraphs- Each middle paragraph has its own main point and supporting sentences that support that point. Often the main point can be found in a topic sentence, which may appear anywhere in the paragraph or be implied.  All middle paragraphs must ultimately support the essay’s thesis. (3) The concluding paragraph of an essay may draw a conclusion, make a prediction, provide a summary, or use a combination of these strategies
Argument	The purpose of an argumentative piece of writing is to organize and present well- reasoned conclusions in order to persuade the audience to accept or seriously consider you point of view.	Can be directed to a general audience or any person or group of persons that the writer wishes to persuade or convince .	A “well-reasoned conclusion” is one that is arrived at step by step, guiding the reader through your logic with illustrations and explanations, until your conclusion seems inevitable. Use of evidence, facts, statistics, expert opinions, personal experiences and emotional appeal are all strategies that can be used in the argument.	The writer must write from experience and knowledge and has to make the points and ideas that are presented ‘his own’. The author should argumentative language that will help in persuading the audience/reader.	Use of a very active and confident voice as the writer tries to convince the reader of their point of view. The writer must also be very opinionated and well informed on the topic.	The writer should state a point of view and a clear line of reasoning to support the point of view.  Offer evidence or examples in support of the point of view. Show where the evidence comes from, and that it is reliable. Show that you have considered the counter-argument but be able to demonstrate convincingly why your argument or position is the best.