understanding the six main elements of a rhetorical situation (purpose, audience, writer, genre, exigency/issue, and context) and how they influence the writing process and the effectiveness of a text.

Whenever we write, whether it’s a text to a friend or a toast for a wedding, an English essay, or a résumé, we face some rhetorical situation. We have a purpose, a certain audience, a particular stance, a genre, and a medium to consider — and, as often as not, a design. All are important elements that we need to think about carefully.
In general, Rhetorical Situations are comprised of SIX main elements (although this number varies from author to author): Purpose: What the writer wants the text to do in the world, such as affecting how the audience feels, thinks, or acts. Audience: The intended readers of a text. Writer (also known as ‘Rhetor): is the person or entity who produces the text
Genre: What category a text belongs to based on its form, content, style, etc. Examples include a lab report, a persuasive academic essay, an academic journal article, a social media post. Exigency/Issue: This word comes from a Latin word that means “urgent.” From a writing process perspective, “exigency” refers to conditions that make a piece of text particularly appropriate. These conditions can be other events that are happening at the same time or a tough issue the text addresses. Context: Any other factors that affect the creation of the text, such as timing or current events. The rhetorical situation can be helpful in remembering all the factors to be considered at the start of a writing project or that need to be thought through while providing feedback on a draft or analyzing a text. Some questions to consider might include: What is the purpose of this text? How does/should the audience shape this text? Does the text reflect its intended audience?
Will this medium effectively convey this information and/or persuade this audience?
Is this genre the most effective at conveying this information/persuading this audience?
Are there any contextual factors that must be considered when working on this text?
Are there any mismatches between the audience, purpose, genre, and/or context? Your answers to these questions may change your way of approaching the writing project or the feedback you provide for a piece of writing. The videos below also offer a clear description of what each element relates to and their importance in the writing process. https://youtu.be/YeMuB40_ots?si=J-ZSz0pmi-k0JZZr

Note: Different authors and books include other elements of the rhetorical situation not listed above. Read Norton’s section on Rhetorical Situations for more detail. Norton – Rhetorical Situations.pdf