Brittany Brannon is an MLIS candidate in the School of Library and Information Science at Kent State University. In this essay, she makes an argument for incorporating a rhetorical approach when assisting students with their information seeking and use. A rhetorical approach focuses on how the student will use the information they seek, and thus emphasizes identifying the context, purpose, audience, situation, appeals, and genre required to complete the rhetorical act. Brannon argues that incorporating these ideas in reference and instruction service can help guide students as they seek, select, and evaluate information.