How to Exist in the Digital Universe
By Anna Lawson // Writing in Digital Spaces #6294
{Digital Rhetoric: Explained}
The digital universe expands to ends some
fail to consider. Not only is it a place in which
people engage in friendly conversation and observe
the spread of information, but it is also the platform
on which modern businesses function. In short,
“digital” represents more than the commonly used
apps and devices we’ve known it to be.
We use the word “digital” in a modern
tense, as it contrasts greatly with our traditional
form of marketing communication known as
“analogue.” While digital marketing caters to a
broader audience more quickly than through email
chains and zoom calls, the pertinence of analogue
relies on interpersonal relationships and exchanges.
It may not be as efficient, but some miss the days
we communicated face-to-face.
“Rhetoric” is a term used to define the
persuasiveness of an author. When we combine it
with our digital universe, the author now becomes a
digital salesman attempting to convince an
audience of their pitch. A successful presence
online must be built atop a foundation of well
thought-out digital rhetoric as one chooses to whom
their arguments target in order to best spread their
message.
{Digital Rhetoric Over the Years}
Just as technology has evolved, so has its rhetoric. Because
rhetoric allows us to provoke and understand connections outside
of the printed or posted text, we have been able to observe the
evolution of these connections. These messages that authors have
expressed are greatly impacted by their environment and the
cultural movements present at the time of their production. For
example, the united states used printed and radio advertisements
during both World Wars in order to convince young men to join the
army. In a more modern context, Instagram influencers post
aesthetic videos and pictures in idyllic locations in order to
promote them. Both of these scenarios are examples of rhetoric.
Not only is rhetoric impacted by its environment, but it also
impacts the communities it reaches. In those previous examples,
the advertisements were inspired by times of war and times of
blooming fashion entrepreneurships. As a result, these
advertisements influenced the people they reached by convincing
them to fight for their country and to buy certain products.
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