For each case, ask two separate questions: (1) Does the attribution match reality? (2) Does it match the speaker's apparent belief? Then ask whether there is an indicator of figurative intent.
Assumed conditionCategory
Matches reality and beliefCase 1
Only belief matchesCase 2
Only reality matchesCase 3
Neither matchesCase 4; examine context further
The category label by itself is not a full rhetorical analysis. Explain why the ascription fits that category and what the context permits.
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Literal Predication: Rational Reality, Attribution, and Four Cases
For each case, ask two separate questions: (1) Does the attribution match reality? (2) Does it match the speaker's apparent belief? Then ask whether there is an indicator of figurative intent.
Assumed conditionCategory
Matches reality and beliefCase 1
Only belief matchesCase 2
Only reality matchesCase 3
Neither matchesCase 4; examine context further
The category label by itself is not a full rhetorical analysis. Explain why the ascription fits that category and what the context permits.