Media & communicationLesson 3 of 5 in the course Multimodal and Online Writing: Creative Interaction between Text and Image

Rhetorical and Multimodal Strategies in Dunn’s Pollution Prevention Act Blog

5 flashcards · 4 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

This lesson examines how Alexandra Dapolito Dunn presents the Pollution Prevention Act (P2 Act) as a national success and builds credibility with readers. Understanding these rhetorical choices helps readers evaluate how authors establish trust and support their positions.

The headline, “Celebrating a Win-Win: 30 Years of Progress under the Pollution Prevention Act,” frames the P2 Act as a success before the article begins. The word celebrating expresses a positive attitude, while win-win suggests benefits for more than one group. The bold visual presentation of the headline also signals that it is important and helps readers notice it.

All flashcards

What is ethos?
A rhetorical appeal through which an author establishes credibility, character, and trustworthiness.
What is source reduction?
Reducing or preventing pollution at its source through changes to production, operations, or materials.
What is multimodal composition?
The coordination of communication modes such as writing, visual design, and functional features.
What was the 33/50 Program?
An EPA program in which companies committed to reduce releases of 17 priority chemicals by specified targets.
What does the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) collect?
Information from reporting facilities about how they manage certain toxic chemicals.

Quiz questions

  1. Why can short paragraphs help readers of an online blog post?Answer: They make the post easier to scan and help separate related ideas.
  2. What reduction targets did participating companies in the 33/50 Program commit to meet?Answer: Reduce releases of 17 priority chemicals by 33% by 1992 and 50% by 1995.
  3. What did Dunn report about facilities and pollution-prevention actions since TRI reporting began in 1991?Answer: More than 24,000 unique facilities took over 450,000 actions.
  4. How does Dunn’s closing connect with the article’s headline?Answer: It thanks pollution-prevention partners and businesses, then returns to the idea of shared benefits.

Based on Writing Guide with Handbook by Michelle Bachelor Robinson, Maria Jerskey, featuring Toby Fulwiler (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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