Rhetorical Analysis

The e-mail from Barrack Obama is fits all of the parts of a rhetorical situation. The document includes a real-world situation, a writer, and an audience (reader). To begin with, the writer addresses the reader as "friend." This is trying to influence the reader into thinking that the document is informal. By doing this, the writer can keep the document simple and to the point. Also, the writer can use a tone of voice that a friend would use to another friend. The real world situation in the e-mail is when Mr. Obama is asking for money from the reader. The fact that the document is dated and "signed" shows that the writer wrote the document himself. This is another strategy used by the writer to make the document seem personal to the reader. The style used by the writer is as simple as possible. He makes his main point of wanting a three dollar or more donation. However, the writer does not explain why he wants a donation, which could hurt his influence on the reader. If the reader does not know the purpose of the donation, that could cause him or her to lose interest. Otherwise, the e-mail is effective. By keeping the e-mail simple and to the point the writer can keep connected to the reader because the reader does not have to read a long, drawn out e-mail.

The e-mail displays the simplest form of a rhetorical situation. It has all of the main ideas of a rhetorical situation by having a writer, Barrack Obama (or one of his associates), an audience or reader, Marla Jarmer, and a real-world situation. Some of the minor details may be missing, but I would say it fits into a simple rhetorical situation. Other aspects of a rhetorical situation are used like style/format and connection with the reader. The style is simple, which is also a strategy used to connect to the reader. By addressing the reader as "friend," the writer displays another strategy used to connect to the reader. The e-mail is also eye catching without the use of visuals. When the reader sees that the writer is Barrack Obama he or she may be intrigued to open the document.

David Sacre
(371 words)