Rhetoric Analysis

Locate two to three pieces of professional writing in your field and analyze the rhetorical choices made by the writers. (I’m a nurse returning to school majoring in english, communications, and journalism. I’m leaning towards a career in writing medical policies and procedures for a corporate long term care facility or possibly writing medical educational material for facilities). Your analysis will focus on the writers’ styles, purposes, and conceptions of their audiences. Based on this analysis, you will compose an argument about the core rhetorical strategies employed in each document, and what those strategies tell you about writing in your field or discipline.
What is the rhetorical situation for each text? What is each writer trying to accomplish, and in what setting or context?
What is the genre for each text, and what seems to be its conventions?
How subtly or obviously are claims stated in each? How accurately are they stated?
How does each writer establish authority? What kind of research does each writer cite?
Consider what you found by asking yourself the following:
What are the fundamental characteristics of rhetoric in these writings? What do those characteristics reveal about the rhetorical organization of my field?
What does this analysis suggest about the core rhetorical strategies of my major or discipline?
Do my findings suggest any change in my own writing practices for my discipline?
Now compose an essay analyzing these pieces of writing and explaining how your sources’ rhetorical choices might inform your own development as a writer in your field or profession.
For what purposes are you most likely to write?
What are the most important elements to consider regarding your audiences?
How will you establish your credibility or authority with these audiences?
What stylistic strategies are most often employed?

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