Appendix C – COM/155 Version 4

Rhetorical Modes Matrix

Narration:
Purpose – The art of telling stories.
Structure - Usually in chronological order, which events are told in the order in which they occurred
Two Tips - 1. A plot summary can help you create a chronological outline. 2. Start with a strong intro to hook your reader into wanting to continue reading.

Illustration:
Purpose – Clearly demonstrates and supports a point through the use of evidence.
Structure – Order of importance: arranges ideas according to their significance
Two Tips – 1. Use evidence that is appropriate to your topic as well as your audience.
2. Vary the phrases of illustration you used, it is critical when trying to keep readers engaged

Description:
Purpose – To make sure your audience is fully immersed in the words on the page by using sensory details.
Structure – Spatial Order, depending on the writer, descriptions could go from top to bottom or left to right, etc
Two Tips – 1. Avoid “empty” descriptors if possible. 2. Use spatial order to organize your descriptive writing.

Classification:
Purpose – To break broad subjects down into smaller, more manageable, and more specific parts
Structure – Organized by breaking it down into subcategories
Two Tips – 1. Choose topics you know well when writing this type of essays. 2. Make sure you break down your topic at least three different ways.

Process Analysis:
Purpose – The purpose is to explain how to do something or how something works.
Structure – In chronological order, step by step instructions on how something is accomplished
Two Tips – 1. Always have someone else read it to make sure it makes sense. 2. Always use strong details and clear examples

Definition:
Purpose – The purpose is to simply define something.
Structure – It is organized by context, the circumstance, conditions, or settings in