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WHAT ARE RHETORICAL MODES?

Different methods of writing which you can incorporate into

your writing to make it more effective

Use the modes to your advantage as a writer (to make

your essay stronger) and for your reader (to help them
connect with your essay better)

Choose your mode wisely for each paper you wouldnt

want much narration in a typical research paper

These modes are often found with one another.

Example: rarely will you find just a process analysis paper

without a little bit of definition and description.

WHAT ARE THE NINE RHETORICAL

MODES?
Illustration

Description

Narration

Definition

Comparison/Contrast

Cause/Effect

Division/Classification

Argumentation

Process Analysis

ILLUSTRATION

Explains a general statement by means of one or more

specific examples

Examples are specific cases or stories which make a general

statement more believable.

Usually used in conjunction with some kind of analysis or

argumentation

Use illustrations (specific reasons) to support an argument

DESCRIPTION

Describes something a person, a place, or an object

Captures it in words so others can imagine it or see it in the

mind's eye

Uses descriptive examples that make use of the senses

(sight, smell, hearing, taste, and touch) to convey an image
or represent an idea

NARRATION

Tells the story of what happened, the specific events that

happened, and the people who were involved

Uses organized facts and details in a clear chronological or

time order

May use first, second or third person in any narrative, but

be consistent in your use of personal pronouns

DEFINITION

Explains what a word, idea, or topic means

Remember you must be very clear when you define

something for your reader!

COMPARISON/CONTRAST

Comparison examines the ways in which two persons,

places, or things are similar

Contrast examines the ways in which they are different

Helps the reader understand one person, place, or thing in

relation to another

Many times the goal of a comparison is for evaluation

Example: If you are comparing various fast food restaurants,

for example, you will want to reach some conclusion about
which restaurant is the best. Therefore, you need to use
some specific criteria (price, healthiness, etc.) on which to
base your comparison.

CAUSE/EFFECT

Examines why something happened or what its

consequences were or will be

Refers to a direct relationship between events

Answers the question "why did something happen, and/or

what results did it have?"

DIVISION/CLASSIFICATION

gathers items, ideas, or information into types, kinds, or

categories according to a single basis of division

Division/Classification essays often also use Definition

Example: You might start with a paper about sports and

divide it up into three particular sports baseball, football,
and basketball. You could then classify these sports by their
popularity in the American culture.

ARGUMENTATION

Also known as Persuasion

Involves the development of the writer's own argument

Sometimes involves using outside sources and references to

other writers

The primary function of Argumentation is for the writer to

articulate his/her opinion about the issue being discussed.

PROCESS ANALYSIS

Describes how to do something, how a particular event

occurs, or how something works

Instructions are very similar to a Process Analysis essay