Rhetorical Modes Matrix

Associate Program Material
Appendix C

Rhetorical Modes Matrix

Rhetorical modes are methods for effectively communicating through language and writing. Complete the following chart to identify the purpose and structure of the various rhetorical modes used in academic writing. Provide at least 2 tips for writing each type of rhetorical device.

|Rhetorical Mode     |Purpose – Explain when or why   |Structure – Explain what organizational       |Provide 2 tips for writing in |
|                     |each rhetorical mode is used.   |method works best with each rhetorical mode. |each rhetorical mode.         |
|Narration           |Its purpose is to tell a story. |The organizational method is chronological   |Write clearly when telling the|
|                     |It can be either fictional or   |order. It tells the order, in which events   |story to emotionally engage   |
|                     |factual. It is used to tell     |unfold, from first to last.                   |the audience.                 |
|                     |Biographies, and memoirs, or     |                                             |Use transitional words and     |
|                     |novels and short stories.       |                                             |phrases to help keep readers   |
|                     |                                 |                                             |oriented of the order of the   |
|                     |                                 |                                             |story.                         |
|                     |Its purpose is to show or       |The organizational method is                 |It is important to use         |
|Illustration         |demonstrate something clearly   |order-of-importance. It helps to clearly     |evidence that is appropriate   |
|                     |through the use of evidence. An |explain the main point of the illustration   |to the topic.                 |
|                     |illustration is...