Sample scenario: Rhetorical Situation of Applying for a Job

To give an example of the rhetorical situation, let’s analyze the rhetorical situation for the particular context of applying for a job. As an applicant, you create two genres, a resume and a cover letter, for the purpose of sharing your qualifications and experience, with special attention toward how your skills compliment the job for which you are applying. Both the cover letter and resume highlights your skills, but does so in different ways. A resume functions merely to list your education, experience, and other qualifications. A resume is simply a list of facts about you. A cover letter’s purpose is to focus in on some of those facts to highlight them telling a particular story about your education and experience. These stories will highlight to your potential employer, in this case your audience, how and why you would be a good fit for the particular position you are applying for.

Of course, to write your cover letter and resume effectively you need to also do some researchon the employer, location, and the position for which you are applying. This means that as the applicant you will have to survey the company website, if applicable, to learn more about the employer’s values and mission. Then you have to consider how you can enrich those values and mission using your experience and skills. You also need to find out information about the area in which the job is located, further persuading the employer you would also be an asset within that particular community and location. Finally, you will have to convince the employer you are the best fit for that position. What in your experience and education makes you a good fit for the job? What can you bring into that position that may be new or help the company to move forward? Remember that the cover letter is not just about you as an applicant, but also about how you can help that potential employer be successful in the future.