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Chapter 4 extends the discussion of rhetorical thinking by probing the three key variables in a writer's rhetorical context: purpose, audience, and genre. A writer's purposes can be a response to motivations that are internal (your desire to say something) or external (your teacher or boss's assigning the task). Purpose can also be understood in terms of various rhetorical aims, including efforts to inform, persuade, or give pleasure. The most common kind of academic prose combines analytical writing with synthesis. Writers must assess their audience and also the genre, since the concept of genre creates strong reader expectations and places specific demands on writers. Finally, the variables of the rhetorical context influence a writer's choices regarding structure and style. By the end of the chapter, you should understand the following: 1. How to think productively about your purpose, audience, and genre 2. How to make decisions about structure and style based on your analysis of these elements 3. How to recognize and employ document design features appropriate for different genres 4. How to understand the generic rhetorical context for most college papers
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