Overview
Discuss the following with the class:
• What is a Rhetorical Situation
• Before you read this week’s materials, think about what you think rhetorical situation means just based on the words themselves. (No need to Google; just go with your first impression!)
• Now that you have learned more, how would you explain it to someone in your own words?
• Was anything surprising about how rhetorical situations work? Are there any parts you’re still unsure about?
• How Messages Change for Different Audiences
• Think about a message you have seen recently, such as a speech, an ad, a social media post, or even something in the news.
• Who was it for (the audience), what was the goal (the purpose), and what was happening around it (the context)?
• How did the speaker or writer adjust their tone, style, or format to fit the situation?
• If you had to rewrite that same message for a completely different audience, what would you change?
• Rhetorical Choices in Everyday Life
• This week’s readings show how language, identity, and culture shape the way we communicate.
• Can you think of a time someone adjusted how they spoke or wrote based on who they were talking to? Maybe you overheard it or maybe you did it yourself.
• What stood out about the choices they made (tone, word choice, structure)?
• How does this example connect to what you read this week?