Understanding Writing:
The Rhetorical Situation
A workshop brought to you by
the Purdue University
Writing Lab
Purdue University Writing Lab
Rhetorical Situation





Writer
Purpose
Audience
Topic
Context
Purdue University Writing Lab
Writer

your personal
characteristics
and interests
affect what you
write about and
how you write
about it
Purdue University Writing Lab
Writer: factors which can affect
your writing include
your age
 your experiences
 your gender
 your location
 your political beliefs
 your education
 your parents and
peers
 your religion

Purdue University Writing Lab
Purpose: your reason for
writing
to ___________
 to inform
 to persuade
 to educate
 to call to action
 to entertain
 to shock

Purdue University Writing Lab
Genre
category of writing
 examples: fiction,
autobiographical
story, news article,
review, editorial,
analysis
 genres hinge upon
purpose and the
needs of the
projected audience

Purdue University Writing Lab
Audience: to whom are you
writing?
many of the same
factors which affect
the writer also affect
the audience
 age
 social class
 education

Purdue University Writing Lab
Topic
whatever it is that
you have selected to
write about
 may be broadened
or narrowed,
depending upon the
length of the article
and your level of
interest

Purdue University Writing Lab
Context
the “situation” which
generates the need
for writing
 affected by time
period
 location
 current events
 cultural significance

Purdue University Writing Lab
Rhetorical Situation





Writer
Purpose
Audience
Topic
Context
Purdue University Writing Lab
What This Means
 You
need to be aware that a
rhetorical situation exists EVERY
TIME you write.
 You
need to adapt your writing
depending upon your purpose and
your audience.
Purdue University Writing Lab
Where can you go for additional help
with writing assignments?
Purdue University Writing
Lab
 Heavilon 226
 Grammar Hotline:
(765) 494-3723
 Check our web site:

http://owl.english.purdue.edu

Email brief questions:
[email protected]
Purdue University Writing Lab