Eyman strongly believes that digital rhetoric is not a decorative add-on, instead it leans more towards being an integrative approach. Rhetoric can be reflected by digital resources–algorithims, interactivity, and more. This means that digital text should be rhetorical not just by its content but also by its structure, its embedded code. This may pose a challenge for writers. They would need to work with rhetorical sensibility with digital environments. On the bright side, this skill will help them to become better at their crafts across all platforms.
Circulation
Eyman described “circulation” as being fundamental to rhetoric. A printed text will not and can not move from where it sits in its pages, whereas digital text can always be changed; it can be shared, translated, remixed, etc. Eyman finds this important because where and how rhetoric travels is how it will be repurposed. I like how he terms this as “ecologies of circulation.” I find this fitting because the branches of network where digital rhetoric mutates provides endless possibilities. This plates into an even bigger domain. Successful rhetoric is not just about the strength of an argument but about how adaptable it is, how it changes overtime. Anticipated circulation needs to be a part of rhetorical strategies.
Connections
Being prepared–Eyman urges writers to plan for their message to be mutated. It will travel and be transformed into other digital spaces.
Design–The layout and overall aesthetic of any digital composition should not be an afterthought. After all, this is where digital rhetoric lies.
Eyman turns our attention away from digital rhetoric being “just rhetoric on screens,” but towards rhetoric reimagined through infrastructure. Writers gain new responsibilities in how they write and design their work.
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