• Explain what rhetorical context is
• Identify the rhetorical context of a passage

Rhetorical Context

Rhetoric is the strategic choices and approaches to communication we use. When we communicate to different types of audiences about the same topic, we make strategic decisions on what details to include or omit, what types of evidence or support to use, and so on.

rhetorical context

Rhetorical context refers to the factors that shape communication, whether through writing, speech, or another medium. It includes:

• Writer: The creator of the text, also known as the author or the “rhetor”. This could be an individual or an organization.
• Audience: The intended recipients of the text, including primary, secondary, and tertiary audiences.
• Topic: The subject matter of the communication.
• Purpose: The goals behind the communication, such as informing, persuading, or motivating.
• Occasion: The time, place, and circumstances in which the communication occurs.

Context and culture influence every aspect of this rhetorical situation, shaping the way arguments are formed and communicated.

Let’s explore these components in detail:

Writer

The writer creates the message with the intent to influence the audience. To analyze the rhetorical situation, consider:

• What expertise or experience does the writer have on the topic?
• What are their values, biases, or motivations?
• How invested is the writer in the topic, and how does this shape their perspective?

The writer’s identity and background directly impact the approach and tone of the communication.

Audience

The audience includes anyone the communication is intended to reach or influence. Understanding the audience requires examining:

• Demographics (e.g., age, gender, cultural background).
• Values, interests, and prior knowledge of the topic.
• How open is this intended audience to the author?
• What assumptions might the audience make about the author?
• In what context is the audience receiving the text?

Analyzing the audience helps clarify how the message will resonate and what strategies are most effective.

Topic

The topic is the subject matter of the communication. To understand the rhetorical context, consider:

• What is the communication about?
• What medium is used (e.g., essay, speech, image, meme, song, protest sign)?
• How does the format affect the presentation and reception of the message?

Purpose

Purpose refers to what the writer hopes to achieve and what the audience seeks to gain. Writers may aim to inform, persuade, define, or inspire action, while audiences may seek to understand, criticize, or feel unity. Both the writer’s and audience’s purposes influence the content and tone of the text.

Occasion

Nothing happens in a vacuum, and that includes the text you are trying to understand. The occasion, also known as the setting or situation, describes the circumstances of the text. It encompasses the time, place, and cultural context that shape the message. Consider:

• Was the text prompted by a specific event or situation?
• How do the historical, social, or cultural conditions influence the message?

Understanding the occasion reveals why the communication was created at a particular time and how the context affects its meaning.