Unit 3: Activity 1-Modes of Discourse (Rhetorical Modes)

MODES OF

A discourse is a a mode of communication that determines what is said and how it is said. The type of discourse that is used will determine how a conversation between the writer and the reader will proceed. The four basic modes of discourse (also known as rhetorical modes) are narration, description, exposition and argument.

Renowned educator, James Kinneavy's two videos posted below provide insight into how modes of discourse can used for expression in the real world and the rationale for the use of each of the four basic modes of discourse in writing. Kinneavy also explains that more than one mode of discourse can be present in a literary piece.

As Kinneavy stated, the  knowledge of the differences between the different modes of discourse can assist the writer in making sound decisions about composing an effective piece of writing that suits the intended purpose and  caters to the needs of the audience among other considerations. The following table distinguishes the characteristics of narration, description, exposition and argument as pertains to purpose, audience, content, style, voice and organization.

	NARRATION	DESCRIPTION	EXPOSITION	ARGUMENT
PURPOSE	*Tells a story or narrates an event or series of events.	*Re-creates, invents or visually presents a person, place, event or action so that the reader can create a mental picture of that being described (take  a photograph in time and space).	*Explains and analyzes information for the reader by presenting an idea, relevant evidence and appropriate discussion.	*Proves the validity of an idea or point of view by expressing sound reasoning, discussion and arguments that thoroughly convince the reader.
AUDIENCE	*Presents an event or series of events to the reader that is so powerful that the reader can  imagine physically being there at the scene when the action unfolds	* Provides the readers with insight into how the writer perceives the world through using all or some of the five senses: sight, taste, touch, smell and sound *Invites the reader to engage with the sensual experiences provided by the writer.	*It involves clarification of ideas, analyzing of situations, defining of pertinent terms, giving instructions and following process to better the reader's understanding of the subject/topic.	*Moves the reader to form or change an opinion or point of view. *Persuasive writing is a type of argument that urges the reader to take some form of action i.e. to take a stance
CONTENT	*Concerned with relating who, what ,where and when rather than explaining why something has happened. For e.g. Who was shot? Where was he shot? When was he shot? What type of firearm did the shooter use?	*Concerned with what happened throughout the course of time and space by using sensory appeals to the reader. For e.g. On Christmas Eve last year, his coal-blackened hands smeared my newly white-washed picket fence as he attempted to break a fall.	*Concerned with explaining all of the five Ws: -who -what -where -when -why For e.g. Who uses this brand of lipstick? What are the shades available? When will more shades for women of colour be available for sale? Where can I purchase this brand of lipstick? Why do the manufacturers sell the lipstick to only high end retailers?	*Concerned with explaining why. * Moves the reader to change or modify their opinion or point of view. *It is also involves moving the reader to  make informed decisions or to take a stance that will lead to some sort of action. For e.g. Organic foods reduce the human body's risk for obesity, high blood pressure and inflammatory diseases (Grow Well Farmers Association, 2012)
STYLE	*Tone-Examples include:gloomy, happy, reflective. The reader may experience a roller-coaster ride as various elements of the story are revealed during reading or listening. However, tone of the narrative leaves a lasting feeling in the reader when the story has concluded. *Type of prose:artistic *Devices employed include: action or dynamic verbs; dialogue; point of view of narrator, first person narrator and this person narrator. Story conventions:setting, characters, plot, climax and resolution.	*Tone-Examples  include: sarcastic,  humorous, grim. The reader may get these impressions of the piece because of the writer's focus on being purposefully unique and authentic "showing rather than telling"-achieved by paying close attention to sensory details that paint vivid pictures. *Type of prose: artistic *Devices employed include: adjectives, literary devices such as metaphors and similes  words, expressions and phrases that appeal to the 5 senses and descriptive sequence: follow  a logical path as in point A to B on a map or an impressionistic style which is like a camera taking random snapshots   which may be done to reinforce themes that span a literary piece.	*Tone-Examples include: emotional, all-knowing,restrained.The reader may get these impressions of the piece because the writer focuses on informing and explaining the subject in a way that he or she deems fit for the reader to understand. *Type of prose: technical/scientific *Devices employed include: analysis;classification; definition;illustration; cause and effect; comparison and contrast and analogy	*Tone-Examples include restrained, hostile, pompous,sincere.The reader may get these impressions of the writer's rigid adherence to logic and factual evidence. *Type of prose: technical/scientific (argument) and artistic  (persuasive) *Argumentative  devices employed include: evidence; facts; authoritative opinion; personal experience and refutation of the counterargument. *Persuasive devices employed include:  repetition, rhetorical questions and emotional appeals.
VOICE	*Voice-The writer  generally writes in the first person “I" and the third person “he, she, or it”.  *The writer's voice will reflect personal or fictitious experiences as revealed in the story. *Examples may include: high energy, active,  innocent, funny and superfluous	*Voice-Reflects the writer's stage in a romance, embrace or attachment to words, phrases and expressions that evoke sensory details and that can create vivid mental pictures in the reader's mind. *Examples may include: confessional, poetic, and idiomatic.	*Voice-It is engaging and reflective of the writer's underlying  commitment to bettering the level of understanding of the reader about a particular topic. *Examples may include: discursive, rambling sententious, verbose and vague.	*Voice-The writer writes in the impersonal third person “he, she, it” and has  a strong and definite position.  *Unyielding enthusiasm spans the argument from the introduction to the conclusion in an attempt to  thoroughly convince the reader of the position or to take a stance.  *The voice should never be casual. * Examples may include:  grandiloquent, serious and concerned
ORGANIZATION	*Time is the organizational principle of narration. It is temporal in nature meaning that the flow of thoughts and ideas follow a sequential pattern.	*Description uses a spatial organization structure. The writer spatially hovers over   things, events and people and freezes them in time in order to give  a seemingly uninhibited description of them from various angles. This can enable the creation of  a "flamboyant painting" or "vivid snapshot" in the reader's mind.	*Exposition uses a multiplicity of structural arrangements. This is based primarily on logic: definition, clarification, illustration, cause and effect, comparison and contrast,anecdotes and sometimes analogy.The choice of the most appropriate organisational techniques will improve the effectiveness of the piece of writing in explaining the content to the reader.	*Argument should be structured in a way that makes sense to the reader. *According to Simmons-McDonald (1997), argument has a set of claims( at least two) one of which is the major claim or conclusion, while the other claim(s) are the grounds which support the conclusion. Both short and long arguments reflect these basic structural arguments *The Toulmin method of logic is a common and  precise method of organization of argument (The Owl at Purdue, 2012) The following are its constituent parts: Claim- The overall thesis the writer will argue for. Data- Evidence gathered to support the claim. Warrant- (the bridge): Explanation of why or how the data supports the claim, the underlying assumption that connects your data to your claim. Backing (foundation)-Additional logic or reasoning that may be necessary to support the warrant. Counterclaim-A claim that negates or disagrees with the thesis/claim. Rebuttal- Evidence that negates or disagrees with the counterclaim.