The multimodal article/interview, “Ways of Knowing and Doing in Digital Rhetoric: A Primer,” by Matthew Davis and Stephen J. McElroy attempts to define the most successful practices in Digital Rhetoric. Twenty-three different scholars were asked ten questions about their research and academic experience working in the field of Digital rhetoric. When reading the beginning excerpt, laying out the contents of the project and mentioning the inspiration, the first thought to come to mind was, what is digital rhetoric? Is there a definition? After watching the video portion of this project, the answer is there is only an understanding of digital rhetoric. Scholars and professors all give digital rhetoric different definitions. One scholar, says it is, “studying discourse in digital spaces.” Basically, describing it as a technological means to conversation. Another scholar depicts it as different forms of media, “moving images, text, discursive.” Finding a way of using these medias effectively. However, none of them are sound, clear-cut definitions.
With such a subjective field, there is room for more expression. Various types of media such as videos, pictures, music, podcasts, etc., are used to communicate ideas and support topics without only using text. Digital rhetoric is a multimodal means of communication. “Snapchat,” for example, is a multimodal type of communication. A person can text another person, text emojis, send pictures of themselves, and send videos with sound. These are multiple types of media, all used for one reason, communication. Another example is “YouTube.” It has media uploading, people post videos publicly, with areas for open commenting and communicating under their videos. Although the area of discussion may not always scholarly, the fact there is still discourse happening proves technology to help advance communication. These medias fall under the digital rhetoric umbrella seeing how they are a mode of connection.
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