Rhetorical Situation Basics

This set helps students learn the elements of a rhetorical situation, as represented by the rhetorical triangle.

rhetoric

the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing that uses language to influence or inform an audience.

rhetorical situation

the dynamics and decisions that occur during an interaction between a speaker and audience (or a writer and readers) as they address an issue

dynamic situation

a “live” interaction during which the speaker’s message and/or delivery is influenced by the audience’s reactions

static situation

a “non live” interaction; the speaker has already printed or posted their message, so readers and listeners cannot influence the speaker’s message anymore, although they can react to the message

speaker

the individual delivering the message, whose credibility and style can affect how the audience interprets and responds to the content

audience

the people (listeners and readers) for whom the message is intended

issue

the topic that the speaker is addressing, usually a controversial or complex one

purpose

the speaker’s goal — what they want the audience to do regarding the issue; also known as the “reason” for addressing the issue (to persuade, to instruct, to inform)

occasion

the event or circumstance that drew attention to the issue in the first place (whatever happened that triggered the speaker’s interest in the issue)

genre

the category or type of content the speaker creates; for example: speech or interview, novel or short story, documentary or film, newspaper article or magazine editorial

medium

the method or format through which the speaker delivers the content; for example, live interview on television or recording interview on YouTube, PPT presentation to a live audience or PPT presentation posted on a website, a public service announcement on the radio or a public service announcement on a poster

context

the social circumstances that influence the speaker’s message; for example: existing attitudes towards the issue, current events surrounding the issue, the political climate regarding the issue, the accumulated tensions leading up to the issue, etc.