wia1elp_ch06

Rhetorical considerations of online texts.

Rhetorical considerations of online texts. Early on, consider time and technical constraints carefully to make sure that your plan for an online text is manageable. But also remember to think about rhetorical concerns, such as your purpose for creating the text, the needs of your audience, and the main point or message you want to get across.

Why are you creating this text (4d)? How do you want readers to use it? Considering purpose helps you determine what features your online text will need to incorporate.
What potential audience (4e) can you identify? Considering audience will help you make good choices about tone, word choice, graphic style and design, level of detail, and many other factors. If your intended audience is limited to people you know (such as a wiki available only to members of your literature class), you may be able to make assumptions about their background, knowledge, and likely responses to your text. If you are covering a particular topic, you may have ideas about the type of audience you think you’ll attract. Plan your text to appeal to the readers you expect—but remember that an online text may reach other, unanticipated audiences.
What will you talk about? Your topic will also affect the content and design of your project. For example, if you want to write about the latest Hong Kong film releases, you might create a blog; if you want to explore the works of 1940s detective writers, you might produce a Web site. If you prefer to talk about or show information on your topic, you might consider creating an infographic or a video or audio text that you can post to an existing site.
How do you relate to your subject matter? Your rhetorical stance (4d) determines how your audience will see you. Will you present yourself as an expert, a fan, or a novice seeking input from others? What information will make you seem credible and persuasive to your audience?