The article https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/166/monograph/chapter/1575136 reviewed created a feeling of confusion initially reading it. I tapped into prior knowledge of Digital Rhetoric to make a connection with the new information learned. Lanham’s pioneering exploration of digital rhetoric in his 1989 lecture and subsequent writings suggests a practical framework for understanding how technology crosses with classical rhetorical theory. He highlights the computer’s role not just as a logical tool but as a rhetorical one, blending elements of art, persuasion, and societal impact. Lanham indicates that digital texts, like those in the humanities, function as part of a larger rhetorical conversation.
His work dives into the transformative effects of digital media on traditional print-based rhetoric, analyzing hypertext as a significant development. Hypertext links, for example, disrupt the physical separation of printed texts, creating related networks that represent a vigorous form of rhetoric. Scholars, such as Doug Brent, have expanded this change. He claimed that digital rhetoric promotes a more participatory, interactive form of persuasion that moves beyond traditional one-sided arguments.
Lanham’s early work laid the foundation for understanding digital texts as information and as active, persuasive, and socially impactful creations. His work connects the digital world to postmodern theory, suggesting a deeper breakdown of digital ethics and its importance. While Lanham doesn’t offer a fully developed digital rhetoric theory, his framework has sparked a rich conversation that continues to grow today. This continued discourse has led to more subtle theories of digital rhetoric, incorporating visual elements, interactive design, and multimedia compositions as key rhetorical tools.
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