The document provides guidance on developing the key elements of an essay: the rhetorical situation, subject, purpose, and audience. It emphasizes starting with clear definitions. The subject should identify a problem or aspect of the topic and make an assertion about it. The purpose states what is being argued and why. The audience is identified and the essay is tailored to their knowledge and interests. These elements are the most important parts of any essay in the course.
4. Subject, Purpose,
Audience
Assess the rhetorical situation
Begin with clear and precise definitions
5. Subject, Purpose,
Audience
Assess the rhetorical situation
Begin with clear and precise definitions
Know what you’ll do up front
6. Subject, Purpose,
Audience
Assess the rhetorical situation
Begin with clear and precise definitions
Know what you’ll do up front
Make a flexible guideline
7. Subject, Purpose,
Audience
Assess the rhetorical situation
Begin with clear and precise definitions
Know what you’ll do up front
Make a flexible guideline
Suggest a direction: thesis statement
17. Sample Topics
What is one game that is physically or
intellectually challenging
Identify a particular type of dishonesty that
is generally tolerated
18. Sample Topics
What is one game that is physically or
intellectually challenging
Identify a particular type of dishonesty that
is generally tolerated
What is your favorite piece of furniture
22. Subject
A problem, concern, or aspect of the topic
Makes an assertion about the topic
Contains the subject and assertion
23. Subject
A problem, concern, or aspect of the topic
Makes an assertion about the topic
Contains the subject and assertion
Addresses something unique and worthy
26. Subject Examples
Chess is a game that is intellectually
challenging
Lying is a type of dishonesty that is generally
tolerated
27. Subject Examples
Chess is a game that is intellectually
challenging
Lying is a type of dishonesty that is generally
tolerated
My footlocker is my favorite piece of
furniture
28. A subject is not
complete without a
SUBJECT and an
ASSERTION!
37. Purpose Examples
to argue that chess is intellectually
challenging because it makes players focus
and logically consider each move
38. Purpose Examples
to argue that chess is intellectually
challenging because it makes players focus
and logically consider each move
to argue that lying is generally tolerated
because people would rather be deceived
than know the harsh truth
39. Purpose Examples
to argue that chess is intellectually
challenging because it makes players focus
and logically consider each move
to argue that lying is generally tolerated
because people would rather be deceived
than know the harsh truth
to argue that my footlocker is my favorite
piece of furniture because it contains all my
hopes and dreams
43. Audience
To WHOM are you writing?
Who would most benefit from your essay?
What is your relationship to them?
44. Audience
To WHOM are you writing?
Who would most benefit from your essay?
What is your relationship to them?
What is their attention span? knowledge of
subject? level of interest? attitudes about
the subject?
52. Audience Examples
Parents looking for a challenging hobby for
their anti-social boy
Men in my church, 18-25, who think honesty
is always the best policy, even when it hurts
53. Audience Examples
Parents looking for a challenging hobby for
their anti-social boy
Men in my church, 18-25, who think honesty
is always the best policy, even when it hurts
Teenagers who may not understand the value
of saving memories
56. Subject, Purpose,
Audience
Suggests focus and scope
Most important part of your essay
57. Subject, Purpose,
Audience
Suggests focus and scope
Most important part of your essay
Write these at the top of your paper for all
essays in this course