Rhetoric in Technical Writing
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This presentation explores the Rhetorical Triangle, emphasizing its application in professional writing. We'll discuss the importance of context, audience, and purpose in crafting effective documents. By understanding your audience’s perceptions and needs, you can enhance your Ethos—your authority, competence, and professionalism. We will also examine how to structure various technical documents, including memos, reports, and presentations. Ultimately, mastering rhetoric will enable you to create persuasive and impactful communications that foster positive relations in the workplace.
Rhetoric in Technical Writing
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Presentation Transcript
Rhetoric in Technical Writing Prepared by Julia Romberger For English 334
What will I discuss in this presentation? • The Rhetorical Triangle • Application to Professional Writing • Relevance to Class Projects
Rhetorical Triangle Context Context
Audience When considering your audience you need to determine: • What they already know • What they are interested in knowing • What they need to know
Communicator or Writer As a writer you need to be aware of how your audience perceives you -- your Ethos. Ethos is connected to: • Your authority • Your competence • Your professionalism
Working your Ethos How can you improve your Ethos? • Convincing arguments • Use of adequate evidence and research • Awareness of your audience’s needs • Professional presentation
Message and Purpose • A document or message may have one or more purposes: • To earn or maintain good will • To persuade • To inform • To amuse, please, or entertain • The ultimate purpose of workplace writing is to effect positive action and improve relations between people.
The Document A document is structured according to a genre common to technical writing such as: • Memos, Reports, Power Point Presentations A technical document might contain: • Arguments and Rationales • Evidence and Data
Context Context is the situation surrounding the document’s origination. It is linked to: • The need that spurred the writing of the document • The position of the writer relative to the audience • The tone of the workplace • Expectations of the person who initiated the writing of the document
Understanding Rhetoric can: • Help you develop effective, persuasive documents of various types • Help you meet your audience’s expectations • Improve your professional profile
The Professional Writing Program’s goals are to: • Teach students how to apply the Rhetorical Triangle to a variety of writing situations • Context • Audience • Writer • Purpose • Teach students the basics of genres of technical writing and the need for flexibility within those genres