My Rhetorical Action Plan

In this blog post, I will be discussing my rhetorical action plan with help from the Writing Public Lives.


Audience: Who are you trying to persuade with your public argument? Describe the following aspects of your audience in a few sentences:

I will be trying to persuade people who are against sperm donation that it is a useful procedure.

What does the audience know about the topic, text or idea? How do they know the topic? Do they have certain predispositions or opinions about the topic that you will need to address?

The audience knows about the topic from media, education, and most likely, religious authority. They will likely be predisposed to side with their culture, which is anti-masturbation, and inherently anti-sperm donation.

What do you know about the values, ideals, principles, or norms that members of the audience might hold?

There may be some members of the audience who are extremely against masturbation, birth control, abortion, and experimentation about embryos. Some members of the audience will be more open minded than others; some might not believe in evolution, while others will be completely secularized.

What type of research or evidence do you think will be persuasive for your audience? How might you have to translate this evidence for them?

I think personal, emotional evidence will be the most supportive. The language will have to be translated from scientific and logical into possibly theological.

What visual images or elements might your audience respond to? Why?

The audience would likely respond most to visuals related to the family, which are most emotional. They are more likely to generate sympathy for those who benefit from sperm donation

Why is your audience reading or listening to your argument? Are you trying to expand their understanding of an idea,  encourage them to take action on an issue, challenge a long-held tradition or viewpoint, etc.? How likely is your argument to motivate your audience?

I will be trying to both expand their understanding of an idea and challenge a long-held viewpoint against sperm donation. I don't think it is likely that my argument will motivate my audience, because cultural indoctrination is incredibly powerful.



Genre: What form of writing will you use? After identifying your genre, list your answers in the following: 

My genre: magazine article, such as one in The New Yorker

What is the function of the genre? What is it designed to do for your readers? Why did you pick this genre?

The function of the genre is to entertain and inform. I picked this genre because it is unexpected, and I can treat the topic in a light way.

What is the setting of the genre? Where could you see it being used?

The setting of the genre is within a magazine. I could see my article being used in a magazine that serves to entertain as well as inform. I would like to see my article in a magazine like The New Yorker. 

How might you use rhetorical appeals in your work?

I would make a lot of use of pathos and logos, as the topic is one that combines emotional intensity with impartial scientific technology.

What type of style will you use?'

I will be attempting to combine a lighter tone with a heavier subject. I will keep my tone professional but I will try to maintain a personal connection with the audience.

"The New Yorker" Unknown

Potential Reactions: Positive Support

• creating discussion
• through online commenting features
• through constructive responses
• constructive criticism
• change in opinion or personal ideology
• creating change in the community
• legally
• culturally
• through family

Potential Reactions: Negative Rebuttals

• disrespectful attacks
• discrediting the author
• criticism through personal means
• refusal to acknowledge unique ideas
• morally authoritative stance
• religion
• law
• culture