1. Choose 3 writing samples. Pick 3 short things you have written in everyday life. These may include:
- Text messages
- Social media posts
- Emails
- Work-related writing (e.g., memos, chats, emails, notes)
- Any informal or semi-formal writing with a clear audience and purpose
Choose a variety of messages that differ in purpose, audience, or context so you can explore how they shaped your choices.
For each writing sample, choose one of these options:
- Option 1: Paste the full message into your document (only if it’s brief and appropriate to share).
- Option 2: Summarize the message in a sentence or two. (Example: “This was a note I sent to a coworker asking for help on a deadline.”)
It’s okay to keep details general if the content is private. Your instructor is evaluating your reflection on the rhetorical situation not the message itself.
2. Identify the rhetorical elements. For each sample, consider the following questions:
- Purpose: What were you trying to do (e.g., inform, ask, explain, apologize, share)?
- Audience: Who were you writing to? What did you assume they knew or expected?
- Context: Where and when did you write this? What was going on that shaped your message?
Tip: Jot down your notes in bullet points before drafting your reflection. This will help keep your explanations specific and organized.
3. Decide how you will share each sample. You don’t need to include the full text of your writing unless it feels appropriate. But your instructor needs enough context to understand what you’re looking at in the message.
Assessment Deliverable
Write a 700- to 1,050-word response that includes the following 2 parts:
Part 1: Rhetorical Identification
For each sample, include a separate section that clearly addresses the following:
- Purpose: What were you trying to accomplish in this message?
- Audience: Who were you writing to, and what assumptions did you make about what they already knew, expected, or needed?
- Context: When and where was this written? What was happening around you that influenced how you wrote?
You may organize your response by sample (e.g., Sample 1, 2, 3) or by rhetorical element, whichever makes your ideas clear and easy to follow.
Part 2: Personal Reflection
After reviewing all 3 writing samples, reflect on what you learned. Be sure to answer the following questions:
- What did you notice about how you adapt your tone, word choice, or structure depending on your audience or purpose?
- How did context (time, place, or situation) influence your writing choices?
- How might identifying purpose, audience, and context help you write more clearly and effectively in the future in school, work, or life?
Submit your assessment.
Assessment Support
- Review the rubric for guidance on deliverable expectations.
- Review Tools for Investigating Rhetorical Situations for help with the rhetorical situation.
- Visit the Center for Writing Excellence for assistance with grammar, APA formatting, and other writing topics.