Notes
Cameron Gates
Professor Darian Bianco
English 101
Rhetorical Analysis of “How to Read Like a Writer”
When it comes to writing, rhetoric is an immensely helpful technique because it can be utilized to motivate and convince readers. This is a technique that many writers use, and we may use it in our daily lives as well. In the article “How to Read Like a Writer,” Mike Bunn employs pathos to establish a connection with the reader via firsthand experiences and logos to offer practical and significant strategies for making the most of reading to advance as a writer. He also uses ethos to present valuable insights from individuals who have experience on this topic.
Mike Bunn opens his presentation with a personal story about working in a poorly lit theater and “passed the time by sitting quietly in the back, reading books with tiny flashlights” (Bunn 77). He claims that the loud noises from the stage frequently interrupted him while he was reading, forcing him to go back and reread sections of the book. Bunn struggled to keep focus; as mentioned in the text, “As I struggled to read in this environment, I began to realize that the way I was reading—one word at a time—was exactly the same way that the author had written the text.” (Bunn 77). This helped him grasp how writers combine words to make a work of writing. This is the first instance of his use of pathos that we have because it is a relatable experience that many of us encounter daily, allowing the reader to apply to the text. In addition to noting about his own personal experience of learning to read in the same manner as a writer, he also brings up a comment that was made by Lola, who was one of his previous students: “How can I take aspects that I feel the writer failed at and make sure not to make the same mistakes in my writing?” (Bunn 88). Having said that, Bunn finds it easier to express his point by relating it to feelings and situations that other people may also encounter, while also sharing the stories of others.
Bunn also often writes in the second person, which enhances his use of pathos in his work. His choice to write in this style makes the work feel more like a guide for the reader and encourages interaction and connection with the writer. Furthermore, the use of the term "you" could often evoke mental images within the reader, which enables them to visualize themselves in a variety of situations, as was noted earlier. Even though Bunn uses a lot of pathos in this essay, the quote that follows captures the essence of what he wishes to convey to his audience: “Deciding how to include the best attributes of what you read in your own writing. This is what Reading Like a Writer is all about. Are you ready to start reading?” (Bunn 88).
In addition to the prominent use of pathos that Bunn makes throughout the piece, it is also clear that he makes use of ethos by identifying a variety of sources that know the subject matter, and he even makes a brief mention of himself having some credibility. On page 80, Bunn mentions the English professor Charles Moran from the University of Massachusetts, stating that he urges people to read like writers for various reasons, an example such as “Because you ‘have written’ things yourself, just as Moran suggests, you are better able to 'see’ the choices that the author is making in the texts that you read” (80). Because the primary goal of this piece is to educate readers on the many approaches to reading like a writer, it stands to reason that the intended audience could be a student or even an author. As a result, Bunn not only offers examples of English teachers, famous poets, and others with literary experience, but he also attempts to incorporate the perspectives of his former students, as evident by Bunn himself saying that he “contacted a few of my former students to ask what advice they would give to college students regarding how to read effectively in the writing classroom” (Bunn 80). In this scenario, it is a reliable source of credibility because they are students who have gone through the experience that many others have, and the thoughts they have can prove to be valuable.
Regarding the most prominent rhetorical devices found in this article, it is evident that Bunn makes extensive use of logos; in fact, his utilization of logos is the most effective aspect of this piece, considering it is packed full of literary information. As you can see, the main goal of writing this was to teach students—and anybody who might find it valuable—how to effectively interact with the text to actively learn how numerous authors create literature. Throughout the writing, Bunn discusses strategies such as what kind of questions you should ask about the material before and while reading, as well as asking the reader other questions like, “What about the genre? Is this an essay? An article? What would you call it?” (Bunn 86). He diligently ensures that the reader gains a comprehensive understanding of the essential facets of literature and offers valuable insights on how they can enhance their knowledge and skills in the realm of art and literature. Bunn not only presents logical arguments effectively but also takes care to provide thorough explanations that address any potential queries or uncertainties that readers may have regarding the topics covered in his writing.
In conclusion, throughout the text, Bunn makes effective use of all three types of rhetorical devices: logos, ethos, and pathos. It largely contains logos through practical and logical strategies that may be used as a learning tool by many people. Despite this, Bunn found a method of incorporating pathos into the narrative by expressing firsthand experiences, either his own or those of others, as well as employing specific language to deepen the connection he may seek to make throughout. Finally, Bunn demonstrates ethos in his work by continuing to mention authors, whether a great poet or a professor, to support and add legitimacy to his concepts.
Bunn, Mike. “How to Read Like a Writer.” The Commons, Eastern Kentucky University, pp. 76- 88.
Rhetorical Analysis of “How to Read Like a Writer” by Cameron Gates is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license 4.0.
Gates, Cameron. “Rhetorical Analysis of 'How to Read Like a Writer.'” The Commons: Tools for Reading, Writing, and Rhetoric (2nd ed.), edited by Jill Parrott and Dominic Ashby, Eastern Kentucky University, 2026.