Rhetorical Situation Anchor 

Task: Select a passage and explain how it is shaped by one or more of the following:

• Exigence (the spark/trigger- urgent problem, situation, or event that necessitates the creation of the text or response)

• Purpose (the goal- inform, persuade, entertain, or inspire)

• Audience (individuals or groups the communication is intended for)

• Context (influence of broader historical/ cultural environment surrounding the communication)

• Author/Rhetor: (background, expertise,  credibility of those who created the message) 

• Message (actual content or argument of the message)

• Medium/Genre (mode/genre employed to deliver the message: speech, essay, social media posting, artwork, diagram etc.)

Rhetorical Appeals Analyst 

Task: Pose an open-ended question about a specific passage - focusing on the effectiveness of the author's decision to utilize one or more of the following devices: 

Ethos (Credibility & Character)

• Establishing authority or expertise

• Demonstrating fairness or shared values with the audience

• Using credible sources or personal experience

 Pathos (Emotional Appeal)

• Vivid imagery or descriptive language to evoke feelings

• Anecdotes or personal stories that create empathy

• Tone that conveys passion, urgency, or compassion

Logos (Logical Appeal)

• Use of statistics, facts, or data

• Clear reasoning or cause-effect explanations

• Analogies or examples that clarify complex ideas

The Challenger

Task: Seek to clarify points made by anchor or analyst or challenge ideas being discussed by:

• identifying counter-arguments established by the author

• identifying how an author either fails to address a critical flaw in logic

The Synthesizer 

Task: Track the collective line of reasoning developed by the class during the discussion.

At the conclusion of the discussion, synthesize and report on the key points/ major insights gained throughout the course of the discussion.