Four rhetorical modes: An Introduction

Watch this short video for an introduction to the four rhetorical modes: descriptive, expository, narrative, and persuasive


Descriptive mode

The descriptive mode, as the name suggests, is used to create a vivid picture of a particular object, person or event. Consequently, descriptive writing make extensive use of sensory details and employ many descriptive adjectives and similes. While descriptive passages are rather rare in the natural sciences, in the arts they are found, for example, when attempting to evoke in the audience an aesthetic sense of an artwork or to convey the power or significance of a particular event. 

As Chekhov famously remarked, 'Don't tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass'. When writing in the descriptive mode, you should primarily focus on showing rather than telling. In other words use language to create an image in the reader's mind of what you wish to convey. However, there is also a place for passages that simply tell. Read more on that topic here: https://www.gvsu.edu/wc/descriptive-writing-showing-vs-telling-119.htm

For an introduction to descriptive writing in blog posts, watch this short video.

One effective strategy for creating a vivid picture in the reader's mind is to use words related to sensory experience. Read more about how to engage your reader's senses here.

More on sensory language

Here is a list of words related to:

Figurative language

When producing descriptive writing, figurative language can also evoke an impression of what you wish to convey. Figurative language means the use of similes, metaphors and analogies. Read more here about the difference between them: https://www.writersdigest.com/write-better-fiction/analogy-vs-metaphor-vs-simile-grammar-rules

Additional material





Expository mode

The expository mode is used to explain a particular process, method or idea. Expository sections of passages are balanced, objective and attempt merely to inform. They are often used to used to inform, explain or describe something to the reader or listener. The expository style is one of the most common types of writing and answers questions the audience has, such as what, why and how. When using an expository writing style, the writer needs to separate their opinion from the facts they are sharing.

Watch this short video, which introduces expository writing and provides examples from blog posts.

Other useful resources

Narrative mode

Narrative mode is concerned with telling a story. It often follows the canonical pattern of story telling: scene-setting, the arising of a conflict, and the resolution of that conflict. Furthermore, it usually presents events in a clear chronological order. Narrative writing expands upon the descriptive writing style and tells an entire story with a beginning, middle and end. 

Watch this short video, which introduces narrative writing and provides examples from blog posts.

Other useful resources

Persuasive mode

The persuasive mode, in a broader context, is used to convince the audience of a particular viewpoint by appeals to logic, emotions and the credibility of the author or presenter. Such appeals are usually embedded in logic and use emotional language. Thus, the persuasive mode makes extensive use of references to sources and reasoned argument with language that evokes emotions.

Watch this short video, which introduces persuasive writing and provides examples from blog posts.

Other useful resources

Viimeksi muutettu: perjantaina 30. huhtikuuta 2021, 17.26