Post 6: Boyd’s use of rhetorical strategies

In her essay Murder! (Rhetorically Speaking), Janet Boyd applies many rhetorical strategies to drawing readers into a conversation about the importance and flexibility of rhetoric. Through a hands-on approach, Boyd introduces us to the concept of rhetoric, aiming to interpret it and show its relevance in both academic and everyday communication. Boyd’s strategies are effective because they not only explain rhetoric but also actively demonstrate it through exercises that ask readers to consider different rhetorical contexts, tones, and audience expectations. This immersive method explains rhetoric conceptually and makes readers experience it in action, strengthening her overall argument. One of Boyd’s strongest rhetorical moves is her use of examples that mirror real-life writing situations. She begins with a simple set of facts about a fictional murder, Mark Smith found stabbed in a parking garage and invites readers to assume different roles that require unique rhetorical strategies, like a detective, a coroner, or a grieving friend. This approach is persuasive because it brings us into the rhetorical exercise firsthand, allowing us to understand how each writing task has specific expectations, “a sense of what is appropriate in this context, and in many, many other rhetorical contexts” (Boyd 92). By asking readers to write in these roles, Boyd shows how context shapes the tone, language, and details used in writing. This is particularly persuasive because it moves beyond theoretical explanations, instead allowing readers to engage with rhetoric in a way that is both memorable and practical. Boyd’s tone throughout the essay is another effective rhetorical strategy. She writes conversationally and addresses the reader directly, anticipating questions and potential reactions. For example, she jokingly acknowledges students’ reluctance to engage with rhetoric, noting that their initial understanding is closer to “bullshit” than to the actual complexity of the concept. This casual, sometimes humorous tone builds rapport with the reader, making the essay feel more like a dialogue than a lecture. As Boyd asks questions like, “How does it begin? Where does it end?” she guides readers in reflecting on their own rhetorical choices, creating a learning experience that feels both interactive and personal. This technique keeps the reader engaged and open to her message, making her argument more persuasive.

Boyd also uses comparison and contrast to show how different rhetorical strategies associate with many writing goals. In one exercise, she includes excerpts from student responses to the detective report prompt, showing how each writer approached the scene differently while still adhering to genre conventions, like noting the time and setting, recording statements, and presenting observations with a certain level of detachment. Boyd then contrasts this with the language and emotional tone needed for a eulogy, where writers avoid the grim details of the murder and instead focus on a positive, sanitized memory of the deceased. This shift demonstrates what she calls the “demands of the genre,” showing readers that they already have an intuitive sense of how to adapt their tone and language based on audience and purpose. By laying these examples side by side, Boyd makes her point that rhetorical choices are not random but tied to context, in so doing strengthening her argument. Boyd’s use of rhetorical terms and concepts is both informative and accessible. She introduces jargon like “diction,” “tone,” “jargon,” and “euphemism,” carefully explaining each term in a way that reinforces her point without overwhelming the reader. For example, she describes diction as “the choice of words,” clarifying that it is the foundation of establishing tone in any piece of writing. Boyd’s definitions are integrated naturally within the exercises, so readers understand each term through practical application rather than abstract explanation. This approach reflects her argument that rhetoric is inherently practical and needed for effective communication. By presenting these concepts through a practical lens, Boyd effectively teaches readers both the theory and application of rhetorical skills. I find Boyd’s essay persuasive because she demonstrates her argument with the very techniques she is explaining. Rather than simply telling readers what rhetoric is, she shows them, creating an engaging, memorable, and educational experience. Her conversational tone, relevant examples, and clear definitions make her points accessible and relatable, allowing readers to see the value of rhetoric firsthand. By the end of the essay, Boyd has not only defined rhetoric but also shown how it functions as an tool in every type of writing. This combination of theory and practice leaves readers with a deeper appreciation of rhetorical skills.

Works Cited

Boyd, Janet. “Murder! (Rhetorically Speaking).” Writing Spaces: Readings on Writing, Volume 2, edited by Charles Lowe and Pavel Zemliansky, Parlor Press and WAC Clearinghouse, 2011, pp. 101-113. Writing Spaces, http://writingspaces.org/essays.