Week 5

In this weeks reading we are focusing on rhetorical analysis and how it is used in literacy. The article begins by defining rhetoric. At first we are given a broad definition. However, rhetoric is simply the way we chose to write or speak. When I read the definition I thought of the word tone. Tone is the mood the author sets in whatever it is they are writing. Rhetoric can be persuasive because the author is attempting to get their point across to the audience. This can be done by using rhetoric functions such as ethos (credibility) , logos (logic) , pathos (emotion), telos (attitude) , or kairos (support).

We then go on to learn about rhetorical situations and how they are significant in literature. The five elements include text, author, audience, purpose and setting. When I am reading a book or any piece of writing I become the audience. As the audience I subconsciously ask myself who is the author, where is the setting, and what is the main purpose of this piece?

Before reading the assigned article I had no what a rhetorical situation and function was. I just knew that in order for the author to engage their audience, they must appeal emotionally, logically, purposefully, and also have a setting.