RHETORICAL MODES

A Rhetorical Mode is a strategy, a

way or method of presenting a
subject through writing or speech.
Rhetorical modes help develop
ideas, order them according to
certain patterns, and also achieve
a particular effect in the reader.

NARRATION
DESCRIPTION
CLASSIFICATION and DIVISION
DEFINITION
ILLUSTRATION
COMPARISON and CONTRAST
PROCESS
ANALOGY
CAUSE and EFFECT

NARRATION
Narration is used to present events in the
past, the present, or even the imagined
future.
Your narrative may:
focus on the facts, as, for example, in presenting historical
background
recreate an experience for readers, as in a personal essay
tell an anecdote to introduce a discussion or illustrate a point
envision images of the future, as in a proposal for a new
policy or project

DESCRIPTION
Description is used to create images of
a place or object, sketch a persons
character, or provide images that evoke
and share a feeling.

Subjective description: emphasizes the

emotional impact of scenes, as in a personal
essay
Objective description: sticks to the physical
details, as in a scientific or technical report

CLASSIFICATION /
DIVISION

Classification is a useful way of

grouping individual entities into
identifiable categories based on
their similarities. It offers an
opportunity to explore similarities
within groups and explain the
differences and relationships
between groups.

CLASSIFICATION /
DIVISION

Division breaks a whole entity into

its parts, and offers a chance to
explain that entity or subject in
detail and to highlight the
relationships of its parts.

DEFINITION
When introducing a term or concept
to the readers, the writer must,
clearly and accurately, define it.

Synonym offer a word or expression that has the

same or nearly the same meaning

Example - offer and example that has all central or

typical characteristics of the term we want to define

Stipulation - when no fixed or standard definition is

available and when some arbitrary specification is

necessary to fix the meaning of a key term in the essay

ILLUSTRATION

The Rhetorical Mode of Illustration

refers to the use of detailed
examples to make abstract or
general ideas or concepts more
concrete and specific.

COMPARISON and
CONTRAST

A Comparison and Contrast essay or

paragraph explores the similarities
and differences between two or
more items, ideas, trends, works,
etc. When we compare, we point out
the similarities between two items,
and when we contrast, we show
their differences.

COMPARISON and
CONTRAST
In arranging comparison
paragraphs you can employ:
subject-by-subject organization discuss each subject in its entirety

point-by-point organization examine

each comparable feature for first one subject
and then the other

PROCESS

We use the Rhetorical Mode of Process

when we need to provide readers with
directions or explain how a
mechanism or procedure works.
To explain such processes effectively, label
the steps or stages clearly, and present the
explanation in chronological order .

ANALOGY
An Analogy compares topics that at first
glance seem quite different.
A well-chosen analogy can make unfamiliar or
technical information seem more commonplace
and understandable. To be effective, an analogy
must be familiar to the reader, and its features or
functions must be congruent with those of the
target.

CAUSE and EFFECT

The Cause and Effect strategy is employed when we

need to trace the causes of a particular event or
situation, to describe its effects, or both.

Logical fallacy:
Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc after this therefore because
of this - Claims about causation are based simply on an
observed temporal sequence

MAIMON, PERITZ, YANCEY THE NEW McGRAW-HILL HAND BOOK 2007