Kenneth Burke's Pentad

Kenneth Burke’s Pentad is a tool for analyzing stories and speeches by examining five key elements: Act (what happened), Scene (where and when it happened), Agent (who did it), Agency (how it was done), and Purpose (why it was done). By exploring how these elements relate, we can better understand the motivations, context, and meaning behind a communication. The Pentad helps reveal underlying values and assumptions, providing insight into the speaker’s perspective and the message’s intent. It’s a useful framework for dissecting narratives and understanding human motives in various contexts.