Analyzing the Rhetorical Situation

Please answer the following questions in complete sentence and paragraph format. Although this is not a formal essay assignment, please note that proper spelling, grammar, and sentence structure are required. This week's lecture and Chapters 2 and 3 in your text will help you work through some of the terms within the rhetorical situation.

Defining Topic, Angle, Purpose

1. What is your chosen topic? (For example: a profile of Barb Collins, a volunteer at the local homeless shelter; a profile of "Shipwreck Days," a citywide flea market and festival; or a profile of Burdick's Grocery, the oldest family-owned business in town.)

2. What unique angle can you present on this topic? (Consider what is new about the topic or what unique perspective can be shared about this topic.)

3. What is your purpose for writing? (What do you hope to accomplish? Why are you writing?)

Analyzing your Readers

You will be writing your Profile essay to your local community. Imagine you might submit the Profile to your local newspaper or have it shared in a community newsletter; the readers of those publications make up your audience. In two to three paragraphs, define your local community and describe what makes it unique. What are the needs, expectations, motivations, backgrounds, demographics, and experiences of community members? How will those influences impact your word choice, level of formality, and overall message?

Reflecting on the Role of Writer

Whether you realize it or not, your personal relationship to the subject plays a key role in shaping the Profile essay. Remember, your personal brand is shaped, in many ways, by your community influences. Just as you make choices in terms of how you present your brand through writing, personal choices will also impact how you present the subject of your Profile. In two to three paragraphs, discuss your personal relationship to the subject. How have personal impacts, needs, motivations, and relationships shaped your topic, angle, and purpose?