A writing situation is another name for a rhetorical situation, a concept that has been studied for thousands of years. The ancient Greeks, particularly Plato, Socrates, and Aristotle, contributed in important ways to our understanding of rhetorical situations. So did rhetoricians in China, Japan, India, Africa, Rome, the Arab world, and other cultures. Viewing writing as a rhetorical act helps us understand how writers or speakers pursue their purposes, consider the needs and interests of their audiences, adapt to the conditions in which they address their audiences, and present, organize, or design their documents or speeches.

This book is based strongly on a “rhetorical approach” to writing. Throughout the book, you’ll find yourself considering why writers pursue particular purposes and the roles they adopt; how readers’ reactions are affected by their needs, interests, knowledge, and backgrounds; and how the contexts in which documents are written and read shape the experience of reading them. You’ll also find yourself considering not only the opportunities you can take advantage of as you create your contribution to the conversation but also the limitations that will reduce your choices about how to craft your document.