ABSTRACT
Rhetoric is often viewed as the stuff of argument-writing alone or, worse, the art of manipulative persuasion. This chapter serves writers who use different modes of expression to teach and help others resolve dilemmas simply by sharing what they know. The dilemmas they face relative to current events, the objects they own and/or operate, concepts they struggle to understand, pain points in certain processes, and cultural, social, and political dilemmas. Great writers know that their own histories and experiences shape their interpretations of others’ and that’s why they invite others to offer their own diverse perspectives. Oral histories are spoken accounts of personal experiences that a narrator has had with significant events in history. Elementary writers might take a field trip to their local playground or community greenspace. They might take note of high-traffic areas, which parts of the space seem to be most appreciated, and where improvements might be made.
