Question

Text and contextual approaches

Answer 1

Both textual and contextual analysis are generally used when doing an in depth rhetorical analysis of various works. While they are both taken advantage of, they are on opposite ends of the spectrum of analysis and entail entirely different approaches. Textual analysis involves looking at the text as it is and what literary strategies it entails. There is an emphasis on analyzing the style of the piece, words used and the way in which the speaker delivers the message. Textual analysis also looks at the appeals; pathos, ethos and logos, to better understand the argument that the author or speaker is trying to convey in their work. Overall, the textual approach to rhetorical analysis is used to dig deep into the literal text and better understand what is being said and what the speaker is trying to defend or present to the reader.

Contextual evidence on the other hand focuses on better understanding the reasons behind why a particular piece is written, looking at it as part of a bigger picture, not just words on a paper, but something that has a role in a particular time or event. In order to understand and analyze the context of any piece, one must have information on the background of the topic, background of the author as well as information about the time in which it is written. This is necessary to help construct the bigger picture in which a particular piece is a part of because the contextual approach to rhetorical analysis looks at things as a part of a larger picture or a response to something else. Therefore, the context cannot be fully understood if one does not know the background, but through contextual analysis, one can find out these various facts and best understand the true reasons for a particular work, not just the literal words used.

One famous example that can be analyzed for contextual as well as textual analysis is Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Looking at it textually, King makes use of repetition of the phrase, “I have a dream” to emphasize how he sees something better for the country that he hopes one day will happen. He is relying on pathos throughout in order to relate to his audience, regardless of race,  because the issue of discrimination is a powerful subject and his details bring out emotion. He also uses words such as we, us and together throughout to stress that the country needs to strive for unity among all and by repeating these words he is emphasizing that this truly is important for all people. As part of the bigger picture, this speech was given in 1963 during the Civil Rights Movement, a time in which African Americans were fighting for equal rights. Therefore, it is important to know that Dr. King is African American and that this movement directly effects him making his speech more meaningful and powerful. It also makes people realize that equality among people is not literally a dream, instead it is something that needed to be done in the United States and it needed to happen as soon as possible so everyone could be treated fairly.

Answer 2

Answer:

Textual approach focuses only on the written text itself. Contextual approach focuses on the various backgrounds such as surrounding conditions, cultural practices or the environment in which the text was written.

Therefore, the textual approach cannot help us fully understand the text. But through contextual approach one can find out various facts and best understand the true reasons for a particular work, not just the literal words.