Definition

Rhetoric purpose refers to the author’s way of attempting to communicate a message that shapes how the audience receives the information. Rhetorical purpose is usually varied between informing, persuading, or entertaining the reader. The author usually has a mix of rhetorical purpose to convey their message, instead of just one.

Significance

Understanding the author’s rhetorical purpose is important to identifying what the author wants the reader to take away from their message. This may help the reader to better understand and recognize what the author may want on their part. Identifying the rhetorical purpose may also also help reader in their own writing by taking note of the techniques used by the author to convey a message. Rhetorical purpose may help the audience see the rhetorical situation through the author’s perspective. This may help the audience recognize bias, faulty information, and question whether they agree with the author or not.

Examples #1 (Entertain)

The rhetorical purpose of Green Eggs and Ham is to entertain the reader. Books that entertain the reader usually evoke a reaction from the reader such as laughing or crying. Books that seek to entertain usually hooks the reader to continue reading.

Examples #2 (Inform)

This book is a biography about Martin Luther King Jr. The rhetorical purpose of this book is to inform the reader about the life events of Martin Luther King Jr and the impact of his actions.

Examples #3 (Persuade)

In Martin Luther King Jr’s speech “I Have a Dream,” he attempts to persuade the audience to join his cause in ending racism and his fight for equal rights. This is an example where MLK uses two rhetorical purposes, to persuade and inform. He identifies the faults of the American system and informs the audience how it can be fixed.