

Be prepared to present your findings in a journal entry, a blog post, or as part of a group or class-wide discussion. Use the chart at the end of this section to find at least one example from each of the four categories of rhetorical moves in a reading of your choice.

Just know that you have them at your disposal and begin to develop them as part of your toolkit of rhetorical moves. “Before I began this research project, I thought…but now I’ve come to believe…”Īs you survey this table, remember that clear, simple, direct communication is still your primary goal, so don’t try all these techniques in the same piece of writing. “At this point, I’d like to be clear about my intentions for this essay…” Metacognitive language The rhetorical move of articulating an awareness of your thinking (metacognition).: Thinking about your thinking (metacognition) can help you step outside yourself to reflect on your writing (the equivalent of “showing your work” in math). They can easily backfire and turn sour, but when used carefully, they can be extremely effective. Note: These kinds of humor require precise knowledge of your audience’s readiness to be entertained in this way.

Parody and satire are ironic ways of imitating a subject or style through caricature and exaggeration. Recent additions to the dictionary (like “telecommuting,” “sexting,” and “crowdsourcing”) usually began as plays on words. Examples include plays on words (like puns, slang, neologisms, or “new words”), as well as more elaborate kinds of humor (such as parody and satire). Within reason and boundaries of taste, there’s nothing wrong with using wit to help you make your points. Humorous language The rhetorical move of using wit to make a connection with your readers.: Audiences who are entertained are more likely to receive your message. “The current panic in education about students’ addiction to texting and video games is reminiscent of concerns in earlier eras about other kinds of emerging technology.” (Analogies can lead to entire essay topics.) “That test was a bear.” (Metaphors don’t.) “That professor’s lecture was like a metronome.” (Similes use like or as.) “global warming” (or “greenhouse effect”)įigurative language The rhetorical move of making a connection between two seemingly dissimilar things.: Using metaphors, similes, and analogies can help you and your readers uncover previously unseen connections between different categories of things (also discussed in Chapter 17 "Word Choice", Section 17.3.3 "Enhancing Writing with Figurative Language"). designed to make something sound better than it really is at other times, a connotation can put a negative spin on something. Sometimes a connotation can be a euphemism A kind of connotative language used to describe something unpleasant in a gentler way (literally, “good speech”). (or primary definition) to suggest or incite a desired response in readers. for specific writing projects by completing the following statements and returning to them as circumstances in your writing process change:Ĭonnotative language Using a word in a way that suggests additional meanings and associations beyond its primary, literal definition.: Using a word beyond its denotation The primary, literal definition of a word.
5 rhetorical moves how to#
In Chapter 5 "Planning", you’ll see how to use the triangle in more detail to build a statement of purpose A tool for developing your purposes for a writing project, specifically your message, audience, voice, attitude, reception, and tone.

In several other chapters, you will make use of the elements (corners) and relationships (sides) of the rhetorical triangle, as well as the appeals associated with it. The habit of thinking rhetorically starts with being comfortable enough with the rhetorical triangle to see it in practically every form of communication you produce and consume-not only those you encounter in academic settings but also those you encounter in everyday life.
5 rhetorical moves professional#
Learn about the statement of purpose and how it can be used as a tool for your future academic and professional writing.Get into the habit of thinking about the all texts in rhetorical terms.
