E-Rhetoric Wiki :: biro.bemidjistate.edu | TammyBobrowsky / MethodsNotes

TammyBobrowsky > MethodsNotes

Step back and describe the work before you begin to evaluate it.
Critical thinking = rhetorical theory
Description---chararcterizes, objective, fair (balcony stance); looking at message, not quite the meaning yet; uses neutral language--but need to back away from evaluative language.
Analysis---systematically discovering, identifyig and articulating parts of the message; relationships between parts; uncovering choices that can be made--context; evokes theory; "search model."
Intepretation---link patterns to the theory and findings of analysis; draw conclusions on the meanings or intentions of the choices; remain tentative even as you find out more.
Evaluation---applying standards of judgment to the message; stated criteria to argue about good/bad, merit, effectiveness, etc.; "if"...did this, "then"....they might be more successful--this tempers the evaluation and is better than "should" statements.