What is reading rhetorically?

Reading rhetorically involves examining a text with attention to the author’s purpose and the strategies used to convey meaning to a specific audience. It requires critical analysis of the arrangement and style of the text as well as consideration of the context and historical background in which it was written. Reading rhetorically allows readers to understand not only what is being said, but also how and why it is being said. By attending to the rhetorical elements of a text, readers can evaluate the author’s persuasive techniques, identify biases and assumptions, and gain deeper insight into the text’s overall message.