Lindsay King, Kendall Ferrier, Emily Gibbons, Caitlin Kleefeld

Rhetorical situations inspire, influence, and usually result from some form of writing. Genres are categories of writing that have certain elements that make them unique, and elicit certain responses from an audience that include: patterns, techniques, and syntax. Together both genres and the rhetorical situation go hand in hand in presenting some type of purpose and are usually written by a rhetor to present a certain change to the audience. The genre is what incorporates the rhetoric no matter what kind of category it is and promotes a different response. The rhetorical situation will attract a certain type of person depending on what they are looking for or what they are interested in reading. Writers know that certain wording and statements will lead to people understanding what they mean. A personal note or letter for instance will contain information that only applies to a small group and reveals emotion and meaning. It displays purpose and has hidden implications that go deep beyond the words on the paper. On the other side of the spectrum, protest signs are made for large-scale audiences and are directed at promoting change toward a specific cause. These two types of everyday writing seem like total opposites at a glance, but each envelop rhetorical characteristics. Each has an audience in mind, an exigence (an imperfection marked by urgency), and a person talking to the audience. The connection between the rhetorical situation and the many different genres that exist helps to ultimately express what needs to be said. It is up to the writer to choose a genre that best suites their needs and conveys their thoughts. Each genre has different qualities whether it is to persuade or provoke a reaction from the audience. The triangle in rhetoric consists of logos (logical), ethos (credibility), and pathos (emotional). In the rhetorical situation, the triangle focuses on the audience, the message, and the speaker. When we start to analyze the rhetorical situation, we can pick out the genre pretty easily and apply it to the literal situation surrounding the writing. Everyday writing isn’t as methodical as rhetorical situations. It is more of a thoughtless process, but can include short thoughtful remarks. Everyday writing is a type of genre so in that sense it helps us understand everyday writing. Ultimately, genre is one element of rhetorical situation that is an element of everyday writing.