Rhetoric Application

Synthesize your knowledge of rhetoric and writing theories by rewriting a workplace document and providing a justification of the changes that you made to that document. The justification for part 2 should be 1,750-2,000 words. The original and the rewriting of the workplace document does not count toward the word count but should be submitted with the assignment. This assignment is due in Topic 8.

The Scenario: As you have learned, the Sophists, Plato, and Aristotle have differing views on truth and belief, which informs their definitions of rhetoric. These definitions are multifaceted, but, at core, return to issues of an author’s power and social positions as well as an audience’s position in a social hierarchy. What’s more, the meaning of and the application of rhetoric has undergone substantial changes from era to era. What rhetoric enables one to “see” in an act of communication is dependent upon the assumed definition of and purpose of rhetoric to which one subscribes. To be an informed communicator in your workplaces, you must remain cognizant of these considerations the lessons you have learned from through your study of rhetoric. 

Your Task: This assignment includes two parts. 

Part 1: Synthesize your knowledge of writing theories by first selecting one document from your profession (or desired profession) that does not contain sensitive or confidential information. Some appropriate documents could be mission statements, briefs, reports, letters, newsletters, promotional materials, brochures, performance evaluations, proposals, portions of a training handbook, etc. Please exercise caution with privacy. Your selection should be informed by your knowledge of rhetorical theories from Topics 5-8.  

Once you have selected your document, REWRITE it to achieve one of the following two purposes:  

Solve a rhetorical problem with the document. 

-OR- 

• Target a different but relevant audience. 

To do this, you should identify the potential rhetorical problems of the current document for the target audience. Then, you should draw from what you have learned about different rhetorical theories from Topics 5-8 to carefully apply rhetorical strategies to replace the potential problems of the original document. 

Part 2: Write a 1,750-2,000 word justification of the changes you made, drawing from and citing at least TWO of the rhetorical theories you have read and/or discussed in class in Topics 5 – 8. Your success with this portion of the assignment will, in part, depend on your ability to explain the problems with the original document, citing from theories you have read and/or discussed in class. Your success will also depend on your ability to explain how your solutions solve the problem or target a new audience by likewise drawing from the theories you have discussed and/or read in class. 

• Prepare to be successful with this assignment by considering these questions as you work through it: 

Identify the intended audience of the document. Does the author have a single audience in mind or multiple audiences? Is the audience internal or external? 

Identify the purpose of the document. 

Pay attention to how the writer uses rhetorical strategies to address the audience. Where does the author(s) use of strategies align with those that have been covered in class? How would Kenneth Burke respond to the use of strategies? How would Chaim Perelman respond? How would Gloria Anzaldua respond?  

Examine the context of the issues brought up in the document. Consider these questions: What does the intended audience already know or identify with? What larger debate, discussion, or conversation (either overtly articulated or assumed) encapsulates the topic of the document? 

• Look closely at the document’s use of language and symbols. In what ways do other symbols (linguistic or visual) have meaning in this context? What conclusions can be drawn about rhetorical strategies? How might more modern rhetorical theorists such as Kenneth Burke, Chaim Perelman, Gloria Anzaldua or others articulate these uses of language and symbols, given the context? 
• How well did the author(s) accomplish the purpose for the target audience? How could the author(s) have been more effective while remaining ethical?  
• What changes did you make, and how would you justify those changes based on theories of modern (not classical) rhetoric? 
• A Note on Purpose: Your purpose in completing this assignment is to demonstrate your ability to differentiate rhetorical theories from each other as they apply to rhetoric in workplace writing. The best submissions will thoughtfully and thoroughly revise the original document by taking into account the lessons they have learned from modern rhetors. The best submissions will also use evidence judiciously in their justification of their changes and cite that evidence appropriately while writing a sustained, cogent, and well-organized essay.