Rhetorical Functions


Descriptive

  1. Describing objects, location, structure and direction
  2. Reporting and narrating
  3. Defining
  4. Writing instructions
  5. Describing function
  6. Describing processes, developments and operations
  7. Classifying / categorising
  8. Giving examples
  9. Including tables and charts

Critical

  1. Writing critically
  2. Arguing and discussing
  3. Evaluating other points of view
  4. Comparing and contrasting: similarities and differences
  5. Generalising
  6. Expressing degrees of certainty
  7. Expressing reasons and explanations / cause and effect
  8. Analysing
  9. Providing support
  10. Application
  11. Working with different voices and finding your own
  12. Taking a stance
  13. Introducing
  14. Drawing conclusions
  15. Recommendations

Reflective

  1. Writing reflectively

 

(Werlich, 1976; Lackstrom, Selinker & Trimble, 1973)