Definition:
The circumstances surrounding a pice of communication/literature. It can include various elements including the purpose, audience, tone and background that influence how a piece will be interpreted.
Significance: Knowing rhetorical context is important because it explains why what surrounds your price of literature makes it important? Context clarifies the intended meaning of a message. It prevents misunderstandings by providing the necessary background information to the audience. It also allows for the author’s communication to be effective as it has an intended purpose. The impact of literature is also defined through the rhetorical context, whether it is a speech, reading or song, the background, setting, etc matters.
EXAMPLES
Example 1
A marketing campaign: Adidas
It is important to note the source of this campaign and the credibility (as this poster is fake).
- This advertisement, is meant to be saying “bye” to music artist, Ye, for his controversial online behavior. Adidas no longer wants to be associated with him.
- Knowing this information is essential to understanding the poster.
Example 2
Text: Little Women
This book was written in late 1860s. When reading, it’s essential the reader knows how the world was structured, what were the general norms and who wrote this.
- Louisa May Alcott used pseudonym to prevent being ridiculed as a female writer.
- Taking this into consideration is significant to the story.
Example 3
Text Messges
The text reads “I’m on my way.” The questions of who was this sent to? Why? When? Where? All rise.
- The previous texts are important to think about in context to the most recent text.
- The previous text set the tone of the conversation and leads to the way the audience will interpret this text.
