What is the writer’s aim? Do they aim to tell a story, make an argument, or explain some phenomenon? Or do they aim to do some combination of these things? What are the key elements of this story, argument, or explanation? Describe these for the reader so that they can appreciate the core line of reasoning of the given text.
What are the primary strategies the writer uses to move their audience? Can you explain the rhetorical strategies the writer adopts through the rhetorical triangle of logos, pathos, and ethos? Or can you explain these strategies is some other way? How do the rhetorical strategies the writer adopts complement one another?
What can you say about the writer? What seem to be the author’s values? How would you describe their voice?
What can you say about the writer’s audience? What does the genre or venue of the given text say about the reader’s expectations and values? What seems to be the relationship between the author and reader? Does this relationship seem confrontational, collegial, or something else? How can you tell?
