In This Chapter
In the age of the internet, information is constantly and readily available. Most people have a computer more powerful than the one that sent men to the moon in their pocket every day. With a quick search, any answer is seemingly available, ready for your use.
But while the internet has made information more accessible than ever, it has also made misinformation and heavily biased information readily accessible. In a world where algorithms determine much of the information we see, it is more important than ever to be aware of the resources and texts we are using.
Experienced academic writers know that not all sources and voices are equal. As they search for information to support their claims, they must determine whether the source is authoritative, relevant, or appropriate for the specific situation they are writing for. Because academic writing is well sourced, strong academic writers will select the most authoritative, relevant, and appropriate sources.
Student writers who might be used to finding any source that mentions their topic or argument will need to adjust their reading strategies and research skills for this new writing situation. Because your professors are experts in their field, they will likely have broad and deep knowledge about the topics you are assigned to write about. To prove your expertise and meet the needs and goals of an academic essay, you will need to make sure that you are selecting only the best sources.
How can you know which sources are the most authoritative, relevant, and appropriate? The answer is by reading rhetorically.
Reading Rhetorically
When we read rhetorically, we are moving beyond simply trying to comprehend what an author is saying at a basic level. Instead, one who reads rhetorically seeks to understand how meaning in a text is shaped. Reading rhetorically means looking both at the content of the text and also the context.
Imagine that you’re back in the discussion about the greatest musical artist of all time. One person speaks up loudly and urgently, making an argument about why one artist must be considered the best ever. Does it matter if that person is related to the artist? Does it matter if that person is the artist’s manager or producer? What if you realize that the person making the argument has something to gain by having the group agree with them? What if you realize that the person speaking has biases against women or people of color–can you weigh their arguments the same once you know that?
Maybe you believe that everyone is entitled to their own opinion. That might be true in general, but in the specific context of academic writing opinions only matter when they become arguments. In other words, opinions only hold weight when they are constrained by specific reasons and supported by clear, reputable evidence.
Rhetorically focusing on the content of the text might include observing the following:
- what the author says
- how the author arranges information
- what type of i