The Cedar Grove Academy
Communication Studies
Module 1: Gathering and Processing Information
Types of Discourse (Rhetorical Modes) Hand-Out
Name:_________________________________________________
Date: __________________________________________________
What is Discourse?
Discourse is any written or spoken form of language that serves a specific purpose and is
aimed at a target audience. Discourse can be spoken or written and is of varying types with
different characteristic features. All discourse takes place within a context which will
determine the medium and types of language used.
Written Discourse
Written discourse is the transfer of information, but, as its name suggests, it involves the
written word. To be successful, the writer and the receiver must have the necessary skills for
delivery of information; the writer must be able to write, and the reader must be able to read.
Written discourse is often tied with genre, or the type and/or structure of language used to
imply purpose and context within a specific subject matter, especially when looking at
literature.
There are two main headings under which ALL discourse types fall. These are
Scientific/Technical and Artistic.
Technical/Scientific Discourse
Technical/scientific discourse will reflect the intention of the writer/speaker to be as objective
as possible in his approach to his subject. Objectivity is important because the primary
function of this type of discourse is to allow writers/speakers to communicate with the
audience through the medium of intellect.
Characteristics: Objective, neutral tone, precise language, evidence based,
denotative/concrete words
EXAMPLE: The man was 5 ft 3 1/2” tall, weighed 100 lbs and had a pale complexion.
This is a technical/scientific statement. It is precise and contains data that can be verified. The
writer is not giving a subjective interpretation of what the man looked like, which might
colour the perception of the reader; the writer is mainly conveying objective information to
the reader about the subject.
Artistic Discourse
Artistic discourse will reflect a subjective orientation of the writer/speaker to the subject. This
subjectivity is a strategy writers/speakers use if their purpose is an expressive one. When
their purpose is an expressive one, writers/speakers are usually either trying to express their
feelings, opinions and/or biases, or they specifically intend to affect the audience/reader. As
such, they do not appeal to the intellect of the reader, but to the reader’s imagination or
emotions.
Characteristics: subjective, contains opinions/biases, connotative language, figurative
language, affective tone.
EXAMPLE: He was a short, emaciated -looking guy.
This is a transformation of the technical/artistic description given before into an artistic
description which is not precise, and gives a subjective interpretation of the facts. The intent
of the writer seems to be to give a negative impression of the subject to the reader.
Consequently, the author is appealing to the reader’s imagination by the use of the words
‘short’ and ‘emaciated,’ which are connotative in the context.
The Discourse Types/Rhetorical Modes
1. Narration
The purpose of narration is to tell a story or narrate an event or series of events. This writing
mode frequently uses the tools of descriptive writing. Narration is an especially useful tool
for sequencing or putting details and information into some kind of logical order, usually
chronological.
I. Anecdotes
II. Autobiography
III. Biography
IV. Novels
V. Oral history
2. Description
The purpose of description is to recreate, invent or visually present a person, place, event or
action so that the reader can picture that which is being described. Descriptive writing
can be found in other rhetorical modes.
I. Journal writing
II. Poetry
3.Exposition
Expository writing is a type of writing where the purpose is to explain, inform, or even
describe. It is considered to be one of the four most common rhetorical modes. The purpose
of expository writing is to explain and analyse information by presenting an idea, relevant
evidence and appropriate discussion. In narrative contexts (such as history and fiction),
exposition provides background information to teach or entertain. In other non-fiction
contexts (such as technical communication), the purpose is to teach and inform.
Exposition
I. Business reports
II. Newspaper reports
III. Articles from scholarly journals
IV. Textbooks
V. Term papers
VI. Academic essays
VII. User guides
4. Argument
The purpose of argumentation is to prove the validity of an idea or point of view, by
presenting sound reasoning, discussion and argument to thoroughly convince the reader.
There are two types of argument: 1. Persuasive Writing/ Persuasion also called
Psychological Argument appeals to the reader through emotions 2. Logical Argument is an
appeal to the reader through intellect.
Argument
I. Editorials
II. Job application letter
III. Letter of recommendation
IV. Letters to the Editor
V. Resumes
VI. Advertising copy
