In our information-driven society, the ability to read critically is an invaluable skill. Rhetorical reading starts with asking the right questions about a text’s rhetoric. It’s all about reading between the lines, delving deeper into texts, uncovering layers of meaning, and understanding the intent behind the words.
Writers employ specific strategies to get their point across to their readers. Everything from word choice to sentence structure is planned and executed with careful attention by the author. A good writer knows their audience, but critical reader has their defenses up. If readers aren’t aware of these rhetorical strategies, they can find themselves tumbling headfirst into the rhetorical trap that was set purposefully just for them.
How do you “read critically”?
Reading critically entails more than simply comprehending the literal message conveyed by an author. It involves analyzing the persuasive techniques, tone, and context used to shape and influence the reader’s perception. And if we’re not asking the right questions while reading, we miss the opportunity to evaluate and question the validity of arguments. We overlook context, nuances, and alternate perspectives. Critical thinking is a dying skill. Asking questions about rhetoric is how we can keep it alive.
21 Questions About Rhetoric Your Students Should Be Asking While They Read
Should you have your students answer every single one of these questions about rhetoric each time they encounter a new text? Absolutely not! But even just thinking about a few of these questions about rhetoric while reading will turn surface-level readers into critical thinkers with something to say.
While it wouldn’t be beneficial for students to answer these questions every single time they read a new text, the hope is that these types of questions become second nature to your students, an intrinsic way of thinking about and approaching all types of text. Print off these bookmarks so students can have these questions handy while they read!
