The message of a rhetorical piece is the What—the actual content of the piece. As in what the words say, and what they’re about.
Students often confuse the Message with the Purpose. Just remember that MESSAGE = WHAT. The Purpose has to do with the Why—the opinion rhetor wants to audience to have, or the action she wants it to take. Put it this way: PURPOSE = WHY.
A place to practice argument and persuasion - based on the bestselling Thank You for Arguing by Jay Heinrichs.
The filmmaker Matt Nadel crafts short documentaries of New York State prisoners. His purpose: to get the governor to grant clemency.
Civility isn’t the end of deliberative argument; it’s just the beginning. To get anyone even to listen to you, you have to make your audience believe you’re worth listening to.
The great Writing with Andrew videocast offers advice to anyone (like me!) who struggles to write. Here he has me offer ways that rhetoric—and self-persuasion—can help overcome writer’s block, imposter syndrome, and a lack of inspiration.