Rhetorical situiations

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rhetoric

• meaning?

• "The art of discourse"

• improve ability to inform, persuade or motivate

• denotation

• positive or negative?

• connotation

rhetorical triangle

rhetorical stance

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Rhetorical stance? Surely there is not another language that is so slipshod and systemless, and so slippery and elusive to the grasp. One is washed about in it, hither and thither, in the most helpless way; and when at last he thinks he has captured a rule which offers firm ground to take a rest on amid the general rage and turmoil of the ten parts of speech, he turns over the page and reads, "Let the pupil make careful note of the following exceptions.". . . I don’t believe there is anything in the whole earth that you can’t learn in Berlin except the German language.

--Mark Twain, "That Awful German Language"

I once compared my experience learning German to dating a guy that I really want to like, but I just can’t seem to click with. We keep going out, because it seems like we should get along great, but he just doesn’t really do it for me, but everyone tells me he’s actually a really good guy, once you get to know him. I’ve never been a quitter. Ever. In fact, I once won a trophy for “Perseverance” in my 4-H Horse club back in my youth. I also won an award on my field hockey team for “most determined player.” Like I said, I’m not a quitter. But German, well, trying to learn this complex and challenging language has made me want to throw in this heavy, hyper-structured linguistic towel almost every other week, or sometimes every other day.

--Kristi Fuoco http://blogs.vancouversun.com/2013/05/16/learning-german-my-hardest-relationship-this-year

Why write in school?

• Demonstrate knowledge

• Learn to communicate

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academic writing

• thoughtfulness

• thesis

• response to others

• reasons

• evidence

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academic writing

• acknowledgement of other opinions

• sources

• confident stance

• why topic matters

• attention to detail cc licensed ( BY NC ) flickr photo by Tim Ellis: http://flic.kr/p/4sxMeR

thesis statement

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The Truth About freshman Composition

• What can you tell about the author of this chapter?

• How does he establish his own credibility?

• Who is the intended audience?

• What does Edelstein do to gain the audience's sympathy?

• How does this text make you feel?

Diagnostic essay

• Due 12:45pm, Wednesday, January 15

• Turn in via turnitin.com

• What surprised you most about "The Truth About Freshman Composition"?

• Why?

• No more than one page, double-spaced