MAKanbari

MEMO

To

Priscilla Sneff

From :

Mohamad A. Kanbari

Subject:

Rhetorical Analysis of Application for the Energy Assistance Program

Date

January 20th 2016

The purpose of this memo is to analyze the rhetoric of a Low-Income Energy Assistance Program
Application. The goal of the document was to request the appropriate information required to
determine eligibility for the program.
Summary
Overall, I believe the document is acceptable and sufficient for its purpose based on the criteria of
addressing particular readers, helping readers solve problems, reflecting the organizations goals
and culture, being produced collaboratively, using design to increase readability, and consisting of
words or images or both. The application is excellent in addressing its particular audience and
reflecting the goals and culture of the program. It is a positive example of collaboration between
departments. However, several aspects of the application can be improved. For example, a short
introductory statement advising applicants to use the instructions if clarification is required.
Including a logo or image can make the application less tedious. Also, communicating the bare
minimum requirements for this program can avoid wasting the applicants and the departments
time.
Discussion
Addressing Particular Readers:
The application is intended to be used by the general public specifically by English speaking US
citizens. These applicants are seeking to apply for the low income home energy assistance
program. The documents requests general information applicable to most US residents to
determine the eligibility of the applicants. Such information includes name, address, social security
number, type of heating fuel, number of individuals in household and income. The document also
states in Spanish that if the reader does not understand these instructions, then they should contact
the local assistance office. Overall, the document is successful in addressing a particular audience
since it can be easily understood by the general public.
Helping Readers Solve Problems:
Low-income home energy assistance program seems to benefit households that cannot afford to
pay their heating and cooling energy costs. The application can be used by the department officials
to determine whether the applicant is eligible for the program. It successfully communicates the
information required to determine eligibility. However, the application fails to communicate the
requirements of this program. Hence, an applicant may spend a considerable amount of time
completing the application, but be denied entry into the program. Therefore, this application only
helps the applicants who are eligible and maybe a wasted effort for those who arent.

Reflecting the Organizations Goals and Culture:

The goals and culture of the energy assistance program are clearly reflected in the application. The
application is not difficult to complete. The instructions provided are conducive in producing a
complete application. They state what the questions are asking and how the information is used. It
makes the application much more convenient to any applicants who are struggling to complete it.
In addition, the application is successful in creating an inclusive culture. The multiple iterations of
Important Information about an Energy Assistance Program in several languages and the Spanish
statement in the instructions indicates that the department is globally aware. Furthermore, it is
optional to disclose your race and ethnicity in the application and is not a requirement ensuring
that applicants are not discriminated against when applying for the program. Hence, I believe the
document was successful in portraying its unprejudiced and unbiased culture.
Being Produced Collaboratively:
The application appears to have been produced collaboratively across different departments. There
are several types of questions; for example, the heating source question is relevant to the utilities
company while the income question pertains to the financial department. Hence, it is clear that the
document was compiled by several individuals in different departments to gather pertinent
information for that application.
Using Design to Increase Readability
Regarding readability and design, the document appears to be unambiguous and easy to follow.
The applicants are provided with sufficient space to write comfortably, and the instructions can
aid applicants who are struggling with the application. However, the instructions are presented
after the application questions which may be confusing. It would be beneficial to have a statement
on the first page of the application stating that the instructions should be read to assist in
completing the application. Overall, the readability and design were adequate.
Consisting of Words or Images or Both:
The document did not include any images, like a department logo or image. The lack of visual
icons made the application dull and tedious to fill out, however this is a minor issue. The
application did however grasp the readers attention by making important text red. Hence, in this
aspect, the application was acceptable.
Recommendation
The readability and design of the application could be improved by including a short statement in
the beginning instructing the applicants to read the instructions if clarification is required.
Including a logo or image may make the application less bland. In addition, it could be beneficial
to communicate the bare minimum requirements for this program as to avoid wasting the
applicants and the departments time.