46 Positionality and Identification
Positionality
Positionality is a feminist concept that allows writers to identify, as Myfanwy Franks defines, “the way in which individual identity is positioned by others” (42). When we write, we need to determine the positionality of our audience and ourselves. Recognizing our positionality means acknowledging that our experiences can influence our perspective, expectations, and understanding in the situations we encounter. To help you recognize your own positionality in a rhetorical situation, consider asking yourself how the factors of gender, race, class, ethnicity, sexuality, nationality, ability, age, religion, political affiliation, veteran status, and other life experiences might influence a situation.
Analyzing our own positionality can help us identify our stance toward a topic or situation. An author’s stance could influence how information is presented, and for what audience. Authors make choices about how and what information they write, so we can look for an author’s stance in the language of their writing. Language is evidence of stance because the style and substance of writing showcases the writer’s perspective.
Identification
- Is “persuasion by flattery.”
- Establishes shared values, attitudes or interests with an audience.
- Demonstrates author stance through language.
As Kenneth Burke describes, “You persuade a man only insofar as you can talk his language by speech, gesture, tonality, order, image, attitude, idea, identifying your way with his” (55).
Reading for Positionality and Identification
Positionality and identification provide rhetorical strategies to analyze the style and substance of written arguments. When reading, ask you might ask yourself:
- To what field of study does the author belong?
- What is their stake in this argument?
- How does the writing reveal the author’s perspective on the topic?