Rhetorical modes

Rhetorical modes

Rhetorical modes (also known as modes of discourse) describe the variety, conventions, and purposes of the major kinds of writing. Four of the most common rhetorical modes and their purpose are exposition, argumentation, description, and narration.

Contents

Exposition

The purpose of exposition (or expository writing) is to explain and analyze information by presenting an idea, relevant evidence, and appropriate discussion. Examples include:

Argumentation

The purpose of argumentation (also called persuasive writing) is to prove the validity of an idea, or point of view, by presenting sound reasoning, discussion, and argument that thoroughly convince the reader. Persuasive writing is a type of argumentation with the additional aim to urge the reader to take some form of action. Examples include:

Another form of persuasive rhetoric is satirical rhetoric, or using humor in order to make a point about some aspect of life or society. Perhaps the most famous example is Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal."

Description

The purpose of description is to re-create, invent, or visually present a person, place, event, or action so that the reader can picture that which is being described. Descriptive writing can be found in the other rhetorical modes. Examples include:

Narration

The purpose of narration is to tell a story or narrate an event or series of events. This writing mode frequently uses the tools of descriptive writing. Narration is an especially useful tool for sequencing or putting details and information into some kind of logical order, usually chronological. Working with narration helps us see clear sequences separate from all other mental functions. Examples include:

Fiction-writing modes

Each fiction-writing mode has its own purposes and conventions. Agent and author Evan Marshall identifies five fiction-writing modes: action, summary, dialogue, feelings/thoughts, and background (Marshall 1988, pp. 143–165). Author and writing-instructor Jessica Page Morrell lists six delivery modes for fiction-writing: action, exposition, description, dialogue, summary, and transition (Morrell 2006, p. 127). Author Peter Selgin refers to methods, including action, dialogue, thoughts, summary, scene, and description (Selgin 2007, p. 38).

See also

Footnotes

References

  • Rosakis LE (2003). Complete Idiot's Guide to Grammar and Style 2E (The Complete Idiot's Guide). Indianapolis, IN: Alpha. ISBN 1-59257-115-8. 
  • Marshall, E (1998). The Marshall Plan for Novel Writing. Cincinnati, OH: Writer's Digest Books. pp. 143–165. ISBN 1582970629. 
  • Morrell, JP (2006). Between the Lines: Master the Subtle Elements of Fiction Writing. Cincinnati, OH: Writer's Digest Books. pp. 127. ISBN 9781582973937. 
  • Selgin, P (2007). By Cunning & Craft: Sound Advice and Practical Wisdom for fiction writers. Cincinnati, OH: Writer's Digest Books. pp. 38. ISBN 9781582974910. 

Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Rhetorical stance — A Rhetorical stance is the rhetorical position taken by a speaker or writer on a certain topic, with regard to how they approach the topic, their attitude toward the topic, and how they address the reader or listener. Thus, it is an important… …   Wikipedia

  • Modes of persuasion — The modes of persuasion are devices in rhetoric that classify the speaker s appeal to the audience. They are: ethos, pathos and logos. Aristotle s On Rhetoric describes the modes of persuasion thus: Persuasion is clearly a sort of demonstration,… …   Wikipedia

  • Fiction-writing modes — A fiction writing mode is a manner of writing with its own set of conventions regarding how, when, and where it should be used. Fiction is a form of narrative, one of the four rhetorical modes of discourse. Fiction writing also has distinct forms …   Wikipedia

  • Description — For other uses, see Description (disambiguation). Description is one of four rhetorical modes (also known as modes of discourse), along with exposition, argumentation, and narration. Each of the rhetorical modes is present in a variety of forms… …   Wikipedia

  • Lexis (Aristotle) — Lexis (lek sis) A Greek word meaning: A complete group of words in a language, vocabulary, the total set of all words in a language, all words that have meaning or a function in grammar. Lexis according to Plato According to Plato, lexis is the… …   Wikipedia

  • Narrative — A narrative is a constructive format (as a work of speech, writing, song, film, television, video games, photography or theatre) that describes a sequence of non fictional or fictional events. The word derives from the Latin verb narrare, to… …   Wikipedia

  • Narrative mode — The narrative mode (also known as the mode of narration) is the set of methods the author of a literary, theatrical, cinematic, or musical story uses to convey the plot to the audience. Narration, the process of presenting the narrative, occurs… …   Wikipedia

  • Formalist theory in composition studies — Formalism is the study of a text without taking into account any outside influence. Formalism rejects notions of culture or societal influence, authorship, and content, and instead focuses on modes, genres, discourse, and forms. Beginnings… …   Wikipedia

  • Literary technique — A literary technique (also, literary device, procedure or method) is any element or the entirety of elements a writer intentionally uses in the structure of their work.[1] It can be for example an identifiable rule of thumb, a convention, a… …   Wikipedia

  • Writing process — The Writing process is both a key concept in the teaching of writing and an important research concept in the field of composition studies. Research on the writing process (sometimes called the composing process) focuses on how writers draft,… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”