Rhetorical Patterns 1. rhetoric n. The art and science of using language to accomplish a particular purpose. rhetorical adj. rhetorically adv. 2

Rhetorical PatternsRhetorical Patterns

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rhetoric n.rhetoric n.

The art and science of using The art and science of using language to accomplish a language to accomplish a

particular purpose.particular purpose.

rhetorical adj. rhetorically adv.rhetorical adj. rhetorically adv. 2

Our use of language is different for Our use of language is different for different purposes.different purposes.

• For teachingFor teaching• For encouragingFor encouraging• For persuadingFor persuading• For testifyingFor testifying• For reassuringFor reassuring• For concealingFor concealing• For accusing For accusing

… …and many other purposesand many other purposes3

Writing also uses different Writing also uses different patterns of organization for patterns of organization for

different purposes.different purposes.

These patterns are sometimes These patterns are sometimes called called rhetorical patterns.rhetorical patterns.

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The idea of rhetorical patterns The idea of rhetorical patterns can apply to both paragraphs and can apply to both paragraphs and essays.essays.

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Here are the names of some Here are the names of some common rhetorical patterns:common rhetorical patterns:

• NarrationNarration

• DescriptionDescription

• ProcessProcess

• Comparison / ContrastComparison / Contrast

• Logical DivisionLogical Division

• Cause / EffectCause / Effect

• … …and several others.and several others.6

NarrationNarration

• Often used to tell a storyOften used to tell a story

• Usually not bound by assertion-Usually not bound by assertion-explanation-evidenceexplanation-evidence

• Usually not bound by thesis statements Usually not bound by thesis statements and topic sentencesand topic sentences

• Usually used to tell “what happened”Usually used to tell “what happened”

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DescriptionDescription

• Often used to describe physical space or Often used to describe physical space or characteristicscharacteristics– roomsrooms– facesfaces– people, etc.people, etc.

• Sometimes used to describe abstractionsSometimes used to describe abstractions– ideasideas– plansplans– proposals, etc.proposals, etc.

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ProcessProcess

• Usually used to explain how to do or make Usually used to explain how to do or make somethingsomething

• Usually uses a mix of imperative sentences and Usually uses a mix of imperative sentences and simple explanationssimple explanations

• Usually used for recipes, steps for building Usually used for recipes, steps for building something, or steps for accomplishing a goalsomething, or steps for accomplishing a goal

• Described in Oshima’s Described in Oshima’s Introduction to Academic Introduction to Academic Writing, Writing, Third edition, p. 94 ff.Third edition, p. 94 ff.

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Comparison / ContrastComparison / Contrast

• May show only similarities (comparison)May show only similarities (comparison)• May show only differences (contrast)May show only differences (contrast)• May show both similarities and differencesMay show both similarities and differences• May use block patternMay use block pattern• May use chain patternMay use chain pattern• Described in Oshima’s Described in Oshima’s Introduction to Academic Introduction to Academic

Writing, Writing, Third edition, p. 108 ff.Third edition, p. 108 ff.

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Logical DivisionLogical Division

• Usually divides something “big” into smaller Usually divides something “big” into smaller pieces for analysispieces for analysis

• Often uses a thesis statement with divided partsOften uses a thesis statement with divided parts

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Cause / EffectCause / Effect

• Often gives only Often gives only causecause or only or only effecteffect, but may , but may combine bothcombine both

• May use a block pattern, often with a transitional May use a block pattern, often with a transitional sentence or paragraphsentence or paragraph

• May use a chain pattern, with each May use a chain pattern, with each effecteffect becoming the becoming the causecause of the next sentence or of the next sentence or paragraph.paragraph.

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Other patterns exist, but these are Other patterns exist, but these are the most familiar ones:the most familiar ones:

• NarrationNarration

• DescriptionDescription

• ProcessProcess

• Comparison / ContrastComparison / Contrast

• Logical DivisionLogical Division

• Cause / EffectCause / Effect

End of explanation—Sample followsEnd of explanation—Sample follows 13

ProcessProcess

How to Cook a TurkeyHow to Cook a Turkey

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ACTUALLY, I THINK THAT

ROAST BEEF IS MUCH MORE DELICIOUS….

Cooking a turkey is not difficult if you use Cooking a turkey is not difficult if you use the following simple steps: First, make the following simple steps: First, make sure that the turkey is completely thawed sure that the turkey is completely thawed and dry, and that the giblet bag has been and dry, and that the giblet bag has been removed. Second, place the bird on a removed. Second, place the bird on a rack in a shallow pan so that it will not tip rack in a shallow pan so that it will not tip over in the oven. over in the oven.

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Next, heat the oven to 325 degrees. Next, heat the oven to 325 degrees. While the oven is getting hot, spread While the oven is getting hot, spread some butter or vegetable oil on the skin some butter or vegetable oil on the skin of the turkey. Sprinkle salt and pepper of the turkey. Sprinkle salt and pepper on the skin. Stuff the inside of the bird on the skin. Stuff the inside of the bird with some onion, celery, nuts, or dried with some onion, celery, nuts, or dried bread, but don’t pack the stuffing in too bread, but don’t pack the stuffing in too tight. If you do, it will take the turkey tight. If you do, it will take the turkey longer to cook, and it may not cook longer to cook, and it may not cook completely.completely.

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THIS IS EASY! I LOVE PROCESS COMPOSITIONS!

Next, place the bird carefully in the oven. Next, place the bird carefully in the oven. Cook the bird for about three hours, or Cook the bird for about three hours, or according to the instructions that came according to the instructions that came with the turkey or in your cookbook. with the turkey or in your cookbook. Baste the bird with butter or drippings Baste the bird with butter or drippings once or twice while cooking, but don’t once or twice while cooking, but don’t open the oven door more than is open the oven door more than is absolutely necessary.absolutely necessary.

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Finally, when the turkey is completely Finally, when the turkey is completely cooked, take it out of the oven and let it cooked, take it out of the oven and let it rest for 15 to 20 minutes before carving. rest for 15 to 20 minutes before carving. Divide the meat into white and dark, and Divide the meat into white and dark, and serve it to your guests. If you have serve it to your guests. If you have followed these instructions, the turkey will followed these instructions, the turkey will be perfectly prepared, and your guests be perfectly prepared, and your guests will praise your skill.will praise your skill.

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HORRIBLE!

Now you do it.Now you do it.

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Write a one-paragraph process compositionWrite a one-paragraph process composition

• Begin with “Begin with “It is easy to…if you follow a few simple It is easy to…if you follow a few simple stepssteps,” or something similar.,” or something similar.

• Begin most sentences with an imperative verb.Begin most sentences with an imperative verb.• Avoid “Avoid “You should….You should….””• As appropriate, give both positive and negative As appropriate, give both positive and negative

instructions.instructions.• Include non-imperative explanations.Include non-imperative explanations.• Add as many steps as needed.Add as many steps as needed.• Include transitions like “Include transitions like “nextnext,” or “,” or “after thatafter that.”.”• Conclude with a sentence that describes positive results.Conclude with a sentence that describes positive results.

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• Begin with “Begin with “It is easy to…if you follow a few It is easy to…if you follow a few simple stepssimple steps,” or something similar.,” or something similar.

• It is easy to pay your tithing at church if you It is easy to pay your tithing at church if you follow a few simple steps.follow a few simple steps.

• Begin most sentences with an imperative verb.Begin most sentences with an imperative verb.• Avoid “Avoid “You shouldYou should….”….”• First, First, calculatecalculate 10 percent of your increase. 10 percent of your increase.

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• It is easy to pay your tithing at church if you It is easy to pay your tithing at church if you follow a few simple steps. First, follow a few simple steps. First, calculatecalculate 10 10 percent of your increase.percent of your increase.

• As appropriate, give both positive and negative As appropriate, give both positive and negative instructions.instructions.

• CalculateCalculate carefully, but carefully, but don’t be stingy don’t be stingy with the with the Lord.Lord.

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• It is easy to pay your tithing at church if you It is easy to pay your tithing at church if you follow a few simple steps. First, follow a few simple steps. First, calculatecalculate 10 10 percent of your increase. percent of your increase. CalculateCalculate carefully, but carefully, but don’t be stingy don’t be stingy with the Lord.with the Lord.

• Include non-imperative explanations.Include non-imperative explanations.• If you are stingy with the Lord, He may be stingy If you are stingy with the Lord, He may be stingy

with you.with you.• Add more steps, as needed.Add more steps, as needed.• Include transitions like “Include transitions like “nextnext,” or “,” or “after thatafter that.”.”

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• It is easy to pay your tithing at church if you It is easy to pay your tithing at church if you follow a few simple steps. First, follow a few simple steps. First, calculatecalculate 10 10 percent of your increase. percent of your increase. CalculateCalculate carefully, but carefully, but don’t be stingy don’t be stingy with the Lord. If you are stingy with the Lord. If you are stingy with the Lord, He may be stingy with you. Next, with the Lord, He may be stingy with you. Next, pick up pick up a tithing envelope and donation slip from a tithing envelope and donation slip from the rack on the wall near the Ward Clerk’s office.the rack on the wall near the Ward Clerk’s office.

• Add more steps, as needed.Add more steps, as needed.• Include transitions like “Include transitions like “nextnext,” or “,” or “after thatafter that.”.”

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• It is easy to pay your tithing at church if you follow a few simple It is easy to pay your tithing at church if you follow a few simple steps. First, steps. First, calculatecalculate 10 percent of your increase. 10 percent of your increase. CalculateCalculate carefully, but carefully, but don’t be stingy don’t be stingy with the Lord. If you are stingy with the with the Lord. If you are stingy with the Lord, He may be stingy with you. Next, Lord, He may be stingy with you. Next, pick up pick up a tithing envelope a tithing envelope and donation slip from the rack on the wall near the Ward Clerk’s and donation slip from the rack on the wall near the Ward Clerk’s office. office. Fill out Fill out the slip correctly; the slip correctly; enterenter the correct amounts for tithing the correct amounts for tithing and for other donations. If you pay with cash, and for other donations. If you pay with cash, be sure to markbe sure to mark “currency” or “coins” on the donation slip. Finally, “currency” or “coins” on the donation slip. Finally, sealseal the envelope the envelope and and givegive it to the bishop or one of his counselors. it to the bishop or one of his counselors.

• Conclude with a sentence that describes positive results.Conclude with a sentence that describes positive results.

• If you follow these simple steps, you can feel If you follow these simple steps, you can feel confident that you have paid your tithing confident that you have paid your tithing correctly.correctly. 25


• It is easy to pay your tithing at church if you follow a few simple It is easy to pay your tithing at church if you follow a few simple steps. First, steps. First, calculatecalculate 10 percent of your increase. 10 percent of your increase. CalculateCalculate carefully, but carefully, but don’t be stingy don’t be stingy with the Lord. If you are stingy with the with the Lord. If you are stingy with the Lord, He may be stingy with you. Next, Lord, He may be stingy with you. Next, pick up pick up a tithing envelope a tithing envelope and donation slip from the rack on the wall near the Ward Clerk’s and donation slip from the rack on the wall near the Ward Clerk’s office. office. Fill out Fill out the slip correctly; the slip correctly; enterenter the correct amounts for tithing the correct amounts for tithing and for other donations. If you pay with cash, and for other donations. If you pay with cash, be sure to markbe sure to mark “currency” or “coins” on the donation slip. Finally, “currency” or “coins” on the donation slip. Finally, sealseal the envelope the envelope and give it to the bishop or one of his counselors. If you follow and give it to the bishop or one of his counselors. If you follow these simple steps, you can feel confident that you have paid your these simple steps, you can feel confident that you have paid your tithing correctly.tithing correctly.

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That’s it! That’s it! You have written a “process” composition.You have written a “process” composition.

(In this case, a “process paragraph.”)(In this case, a “process paragraph.”)Congratulations!Congratulations!

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Here’s the assignment:Here’s the assignment:• Write a process composition.Write a process composition.• Write just one paragraph of about 100 to 120 Write just one paragraph of about 100 to 120

words.words.

• Here’s the topic:Here’s the topic:

The Steps to Beautiful Hair The Steps to Beautiful Hair 28

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Rhetorical Patterns 1. rhetoric n. The art and science of using language to accomplish a particular purpose. rhetorical adj. rhetorically adv. 2