Rhetorical Context

Learning Objectives

  • Explain the concept of rhetorical context

What is Rhetoric?

The definition of rhetoric commonly used is “the art of persuasion,” although it also has a larger meaning that includes the way we communicate—specifically the words, language, and techniques used to convey a persuasive message. For example, the rhetoric you use to send an email to a friend is different than the rhetoric you use to compose an essay for your class.

Rhetoric is about strategic choices and approaches to communication whether textually, verbally, or even aurally and visually. When we communicate to different types of audiences about the same topic, we make strategic decisions on what details to include or omit, what types of evidence or support to use, and so on.

Example

Let’s imagine that you spent a little bit of time last weekend studying, but mostly you were party-hopping and celebrating because your school’s football team won the championship.

  • When you speak to your best friend about your weekend, you are likely to provide details about how many parties you went to and what exactly you did at the parties, including gossip about mutual friends.
  • When you speak to your grandmother about that same weekend, you might mention your study group meeting on Sunday afternoon, the take-out dinner you had on Friday night, and perhaps briefly mention that you celebrated the team’s win with friends.
  • When you speak to your supervisor at your on-campus job, you are likely to discuss the big football win (Go Team!), your looming exam schedule, and how your study and exam schedule will impact your availability to work for the rest of the term.

All versions are accurate representations of your weekend, but you make strategic choices about which details to include or not include based on the particular rhetorical situation of your discussion.

Watch It

Click on the video below to learn more about rhetoric and why it is important to your writing. Note that there are no captions, as all text is shown on the screen.

Text only version of “What is Rhetoric, and How Can it Help You As a Writer”.

Rhetorical Context

Key Takeaway: Rhetorical Context

Rhetorical context refers to the factors that shape communication, whether through writing, speech, or another medium. It includes:

  • Writer: The creator of the text, also known as the author or the “rhetor”. This could be an individual or an organization.
  • Audience: The intended recipients of the text, including primary, secondary, and tertiary audiences.
  • Topic: The subject matter of the communication.
  • Purpose: The goals behind the communication, such as informing, persuading, or motivating.
  • Occasion: The time, place, and circumstances in which the communication occurs.

Context and culture influence every aspect of this rhetorical situation, shaping the way arguments are formed and communicated.

Let’s explore these components in detail:

Rhetorical context: author, purpose, topic, audience, occasion

Figure 1. Understanding the rhetorical context of any given communication includes being aware of the author, their purpose, the topic, the audience, and the occasion, or setting.

Writer

The writer creates the message with the intent to influence the audience. To analyze the rhetorical situation, consider:

  • What expertise or experience does the writer have on the topic?
  • What are their values, biases, or motivations?
  • How invested is the writer in the topic, and how does this shape their perspective?

The writer’s identity and background directly impact the approach and tone of the communication.

Audience

The audience includes anyone the communication is intended to reach or influence. Understanding the audience requires examining:

  • Demographics (e.g., age, gender, cultural background).
  • Values, interests, and prior knowledge of the topic.
  • How open is this intended audience to the author?
  • What assumptions might the audience make about the author?
  • In what context is the audience receiving the text?

Analyzing the audience helps clarify how the message will resonate and what strategies are most effective.

Topic

The topic is the subject matter of the communication. To understand the rhetorical context, consider:

  • What is the communication about?
  • What medium is used (e.g., essay, speech, image, meme, song, protest sign)?
  • How does the format affect the presentation and reception of the message?

Purpose

Purpose refers to what the writer hopes to achieve and what the audience seeks to gain. Writers may aim to inform, persuade, define, or inspire action, while audiences may seek to understand, criticize, or feel unity. Both the writer’s and audience’s purposes influence the content and tone of the text.

Occasion

Nothing happens in a vacuum, and that includes the text you are trying to understand. The occasion, also known as the setting or situation, describes the circumstances of the text. It encompasses the time, place, and cultural context that shape the message. Consider:

  • Was the text prompted by a specific event or situation?
  • How do the historical, social, or cultural conditions influence the message?

Understanding the occasion reveals why the communication was created at a particular time and how the context affects its meaning.

Try It

Glossary

rhetoric: language used to persuade

rhetorical context: the circumstances surrounding an act of reading and/or composition