Writing 2130F/G Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Jargon, Thesis Statement, Pathos
20 Jul 2020
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Document Summary
Questions and considerations that help us define the demands of each rhetorical situation with which we are faced. Rhetoric: art of persuasion; more generally, concern with understanding best available means of communicating your message. Discerning specific requirements of each rhetorical situation means asking the same 4 "w5" questions: Broad distinction: exposition (writing that aims to inform, explain, explore, express, describe) vs. argument (writing that aims to persuade, motivate, action) In engineering communication, aim of persuading writing is usually to motivate action. Purpose is something we define for ourselves at outset: generalized sense of what we want to do/accomplish. Think: thesis statement, statement of purpose, concise description of what you"re analyzing, subject line . During pre-writing, concern is with streamlining sense of purpose to help us better discern (eventual) point and start thinking about how message can be tailored to audience. 6 questions to help clarify point from purpose. Medium of transmission: function of perceived need (purpose) and audience analysis.
