Stances for academic assignments. Thinking about your own position as a communicator and your attitude toward your text—your rhetorical stance—is just as important as making sure you communicate effectively.
Where are you coming from on this topic? What is your overall attitude toward your topic? How strong are your opinions?
What social, political, religious, personal, or other influences account for your attitude? Will you need to explain any of these influences?
What is most interesting to you about the topic? Why do you care?
What conclusions do you think you’ll reach as you complete your text?
How will you establish your credibility? How will you show you are knowledgeable and trustworthy?
How will you convey your stance? Should you use words alone, combine words and images, include sound, or do something else?