This week we read Douglas Eyman’s Digital Rhetoric: Theory, Method, Practice, which is an extensive overview of the topic of digital rhetoric.

While Eyman doesn’t pay attention to a specific definition of what rhetoric is, he says that the key of digital rhetoric is the joining of analyzing texts and producing texts. The definition of rhetoric, according to Eyman, is fluid.

Classical rhetoric was focused on public persuasion, which Eyman touches on in this reading. He also covers style, interpersonal rhetoric and questions posed regarding knowledge.

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According to Eyman the three most important terms covered in Chapter One are rhetoric, digital and text. Since we’ve already discussed Eyman’s definitions of rhetoric and digital, I have decided to define text, hypertext and interactivity.

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Text

“In rhetorical studies, text can be thought of as the container for arguments or persuasive discourse, but that tradition is also usually associated with printed texts” – Eyman

Hypertext

“Electronic linking, which generates the fundamental characteristics of hypertext, changes many of the characteristics of text that derive from print, particularly from the physical isolation of the printed work. By inserting the individual text into a network of other texts, this information medium creates a new kind of textual entity—a metatext or hypermedia corpus” – Landow

Interactivity

“An attribute of technological functions of the medium, such as hyperlinking, activating media downloads, filling in feedback forms, and playing online games” – Warnick