The Importance of Rhetorical Theory

The design of the progression stems from basic rhetorical theory. Broadly understood, rhetoric is the art of doing things with language, and since antiquity (think here of Aristotle), that has meant things like persuading audiences. But rhetoric means much more than that. Any time we are trying to figure out how best to communicate with a particular audience for specific purposes and within a given context, we are engaged in rhetorical thinking.

Considering the Audience

The most important move we are making with this progression is the assertion of audience as essential for thinking like a writer. Effective writing begins with audience, and so in our progression, we make the shift from the more common writer does to a more appropriate reader sees.

Defining the Rhetorical Moves Found in the Progression

The learning progression includes several moves that may seem unfamiliar.

    • Use and reasoning with evidence. Reasoning describes a set of moves that writers make to connect ideas, data, values, and implications. Strong reasoning is one way to distinguish more sophisticated and well-developed writing from less well-developed writing.
    • Use of values appropriate for audience. Writers must understand the values of an audience, and draw on language and reasons that are consistent with or evoke those values. Importantly, “values” help us make choices about what evidence to use as well. If our audience values empirical data, then we must provide it. If our audience is moved by narrative and poetry, then we would be foolish to ignore that fact.
    • Use of affect appropriate to audience. Wise and effective writers understand what will move an audience, and draw on those resources to make arguments. This can be done ethically or unethically, just as the use of data can be ethical or unethical. Developmentally, writers need help in understanding audiences and selecting language and reasons that might move that audience.
    • Implications. Writers must have a clear sense of purpose, and they must understand why, for a specific audience, a line of reasoning matters.