PB2B: How Cool Are Your Moves?

Rhetorical moves are essential for creating more personalized and compelling writing. Whether we realize it or not, rhetorical moves are often present in our own writing — giving us a writing style unique to us. In Gerald Graff, Cathy Birkenstein and Russel Durst’s book They Say, I Say, they provide many writing templates that appear throughout the readings we have completed in class so far. However, there were many instances I noticed a template that wasn’t mentioned in They Say, I Say, so decided to name and describe it myself.

The following authors use a template mentioned in They Say, I Say:

• In Navigating Genres, Kerry Dirk includes the notion of “Explaining Quotations.” “Explaining Quotations” is where the first few words of the sentence following the quotation attempts to give an explanation or describe the significance of the quote in relation to the overall text. Dirk uses phrases such as “In other words,” and “This approach enables us to…” This particular move gives the audience clarity on the relationship between the quote and the argument. 

• Dirk also includes the template “Capturing Authorial Action” in Navigating Genres. This move introduces the viewpoint of a respectable figure; beginning the sentence with their name followed by language that describes the type of quotation or standpoint the introduced person has. Dirk repetitively uses “Devitt points out,” and “Miller argues that” to give the audience a better idea of how the subject is conveying their information. The diction of the word “argues” is a lot more persuasive and penetrative than the word “says” for example, adding extra effectiveness to the writing piece.

• In Laura Carroll’s Backpacks vs. Briefcases: Steps Towards Rhetorical Analysis, she implements the “Example” template. The example template is often only a word or two used at the beginning of the sentence to link a concept to an example. Carroll uses the “example” notion numerous times; including “Take, for example, a commercial…” and “For example, philanthropists…” This move is used numerous times to link the previous topic to the supporting evidence.

• In Michael Bunn’s How To Read Like A Writer, he uses the template “Introducing Quotations”.  This move is a compilation of words — usually at the beginning of a sentence — that aims to introduce the quote using the quoter’s name and their standpoint on the quotation. Bunn uses “Writing professor Richard Straub puts it this way:” and “Author David Jauss makes a similar comparison when he writes that…” This move is used almost every time Bunn introduces a quote, and is very effective in giving the quote context and credibility.

• Janet Boyd implements the template “Elaboration” into her paper Murder! (Rhetorically Speaking). This move explains a commonly used transition when the author is attempting to elaborate on a particular topic. For instance, Boyd uses “ultimately” in her article to attach a sentence: “As much as I am aware of my audience here—so much so that I am trying to engage in dialog with you through my casual tone, my informal language, and my addressing you directly by asking you questions and anticipating your responses —ultimately the format dictates that our “conversation” remain one-sided.” Not only does it connect Boyd’s thoughts, but it promotes a smooth transition from one to the other.

The following moves were not introduced in They Say, I Say, so I’ve come up with a name for each one, and described their significance and effectiveness in each article:

• The “I could have skipped the whole essay” move in Dirk’s paper is similar to a summary paragraph. In the final paragraph, Dirk sums up her entire essay using just four bullet-points. Each bullet-point briefly summarizes each of the four points Dirk conveys throughout the entirety of her essay. As the move’s name suggests — although it may not be as interesting and convincible — you can gather the main points of the essay in a less time-consuming manner. Dirk probably chose to include this move because she wanted the readers to end the article with the main points, so it is more likely for them to remember the most crucial information. Dirk mentions towards the end of the article “Chances are that I have left you more confused than you were before you began this essay,” so adding the “I could have skipped the whole essay” move, she wants to ensure the readers understand the underlying messages of the article, incase they were otherwise confused. I believe this particular move has its ups and downs in its effectiveness, because although it saves time, it encourages the audience to skip straight to the end of the essay and not read the necessary information and evidence. However, the article condenses a lot of confusing information, so it enables the reader to remember the key points. 

• In Boyd’s Murder! (Rhetorically Speaking), she uses the “Remember To Put In The Bullets” move. This move involves the inclusion of bullet-points to help organize the paper and break-up the different segments; making it easier for the audience to understand the content. The bullet-points list rhetorical questions, which makes the list seem important and easier to read. Boyd’s “Remember To Put In The Bullets” in my eyes is very effective, because it not only creates a varying writing structure aesthetically, but emphasizes the importance of the points that she jots down.

• Another unique move Boyd demonstrates in her paper Murder! (Rhetorically Speaking) is “What’s This About?”  This move involves Boyd’s paper being broken up into segments, each one with its own title. “What’s This About” organizes the reading in a way that enables the reader to focus on one specific topic at a time. This move not only enables the reader to concentrate on one topic, but it also gives the reader a break from reading. Often too much information in a paragraph can be overwhelming, and makes it more difficult to understand the content. Boyd’s paragraph division and informative titles is very effective, because the divided information is more likely to stay with the reader.

• In Michael Bunn’s How to Read Like a Writer, he uses the “Too Many Is Not Enough: Quotes” move. This move explains how Bunn uses a minimum of one quotation for each idea that he discusses in his paper. These examples provide evidence which helps to advocate Bunn’s ideas, and creates a sense of credibility. Bunn’s obvious intentions for using “Too Many Is Not Enough: Quotes” are to help explain his argument, and convince the readers his idea is credible. I believe this move is extremely effective, because the implementation of outside sources convinces me that Bunn has done his research and gives me an alternative viewpoint of his arguments at work.

• Laura Carroll’s Backpacks vs. Briefcases: Steps towards Rhetorical Analysis, shows the move “Your Turn To Think” on multiple occasions throughout her article. For instance, she begins her essay with “Imagine the first day of class in first year composition at your university.” Half-way through her paper, she includes “You probably think about what your clothing will communicate as you go to a job interview or get ready for a date.” These examples of Carroll’s move are aimed to reach out personally to the reader, and have them think and evaluate their personal lives in relation to her idea and point in the text. This personalized template is extremely effective, because not only does it make the reader think for themselves, it also creates a conversational tone and “voice” amongst the author; making it more enjoyable for the reader.

By disclosing and explaining these rhetorical moves, perhaps you are able to recognize these  templates in your own writing.