A New Revolution of Learning, a Summary of “Understanding Visual Rhetoric in Digital Writing Environments”

The era of paper and pen style writing is beginning to decline as technology is advancing. Writing styles are beginning to evolve, taking a more modern shape and allowing writing to incorporate images, audience interaction and sounds, something absent in paper and pen writing. In her paper “Understanding Visual Rhetoric in Digital Writing Environments“, Mary E. Hocks discusses this evolution and the incorporation of digital documents in writing. Hocks divides her paper into two sections with one section using two academic hypertextual essays to help explain the visual digital rhetoric and the other section discussing how teachers should incorporate visual digital rhetoric in their teaching. In addition to this, she also divides the visual digital rhetoric into three categories: Audience stance, transparency and hybridity. The audience stance is the way the author creates ethos and the degree of audience participation. Transparency is how familiar the terminology and concepts of the article is to the audience. Lastly, hybridity is how the site combines images and texts.

Hocks begins by examining the first academic hypertextual essay, “Monitoring Order” by Anne Wysocki. The first thing Hocks points out is how Wysocki promotes audience participation by providing interactive text and images, allowing the audience to progress through the essay in an order that they chose. As a result, the essay promotes active reading and decreases attention fatigue, something that all too common with long academic articles or papers.

The saying "A picture is worth a million words" is beginning to be proven in the modern day style of writing (bloging etc). Sourced from Transformation Marketing
The saying “A picture is worth a million words” is beginning to be proven in the modern day style of writing (bloging etc). Sourced from Transformation Marketing

The second thing Hocks discusses is how Wysocki establishes transparency by using a familiar format, colors and page layout. In addition to this, Wysocki uses “tiles” to help the reader not get lost in the text and have a sense of direction. Once again, when a person reads large amounts of text at a time, they can easily become lost physically or mentally in the paper. Lastly, Hocks focuses on is the Hybridity of “Monitoring Order”. Wysocki combines texts and images in a way that allows readers to immerse themselves into the theme and topic of the site. This in turn caters to the individuality in humans, since it allows the audience to choose their path through the essay. 

In addition to this, Hocks also examines “The Ballad of the Internet Nutball”, written by Christine Boese. Similar to “Monitoring Order”, Boese establishes audience stance and hybridity by incorporating music, interactive images and texts. Hocks also notes that Boese allows participants to add to the site, constantly evolving the site, increasing user participation and reducing attention fatigue. However, unlike the high transparency in “Monitoring Order”, Boese’s essay had a low transparency since it was limited to the fans who understood the theme of the site. Despite this, not all rhetoric has to be designed in a way to cater to everyone. Similar to paper and pen style writing, certain books are understood only by a certain pool of people and not by others. None the less, Hock shows how transparency plays a role in the visual digital rhetoric. 

Example of Xenaverse. Sourced from:
Example of Xenaverse. Sourced from: The Legendary Wikia

In part two of her paper, Hocks discusses how teachers should incorporate visual digital rhetoric. Hocks uses an online student project about Shakespeare to explain the positive impacts of introducing visual digital rhetoric in the classroom. The students were tasked to design a website which collected and created discussion about Shakespeare’s colorblind casting. By giving the students the ability to create their own sites, they were able to immerse themselves more into the material than they ever would in a traditional classroom setting. This is because the students were given the freedom to design a site that catered to their needs, rather than being restricted to a traditional style set learning path. For example, the students learned and created  interactivity by creating discussion boards and surveys. They created high transparency by using familiar techniques and styles. Lastly the students established hybridity by combining interactive texts and images (Hocks).

By learning how to engage their audience, establish transparency and incorporate hybridity, Hocks argues that the students now have gained a much greater understanding of their unit of study. She also argues that by incorporating visual digital rhetoric in a classroom setting, will cater to a students needs better and will result  in giving students a beneficial learning experience. The advancement technology also means a more advanced society and as a result, the style of learning needs to adapt and evolve as well.

Bibliography

Hocks, Mary E. “Understanding Visual Rhetoric in Digital Writing Environments.” College Composition and Communication 2003: 629. JSTOR Journals. Web. 7 Mar. 2016.

3,395 thoughts on “A New Revolution of Learning, a Summary of “Understanding Visual Rhetoric in Digital Writing Environments”

  1. Great post! I really enjoyed reading your insights on the topic. Your analysis was thorough and well-researched. I particularly liked the examples you provided, which made complex concepts easier to understand. Looking forward to reading more of your work in the future! Keep it up! Try to Visit My Web Site : LUXURY88

  2. Great post! Your tips are really insightful and helpful. I totally agree with your point about the importance of bloggers providing value to their readers. When visitors find real value in what you share, they’ll definitely keep coming back for more. Try to Visit My Web Site : HOLY77

  3. Hello, thanks for sharing such helpful post. Nowadays, it has been observed that students usually struggle to finish off their academic tasks within the given period of time and the situation becomes worrisome when students lose their grades and end up feeling low and overwhelmed. In that situation what will be the best option to do? I suggest acquiring the professional help from the Help reference guide and excelling your academic future with soaring grades and academic heights. Try to Visit My Web Site : MACAU77

  4. Hey there, I think your blog might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your website in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, great blog! Try to Visit My Web Site : YAMAHA4D

  5. Hi my friend! I want to say that this post is awesome, great written and come with almost all important infos. I’d like to peer extra posts like this. Try to Visit My Web Site : EMAS4D

  6. Hi there it’s me, I am also visiting this web site regularly, this website is truly nice and the users are actually sharing pleasant thoughts. Try to Visit My Web Site : ARENA168

  7. Hi there just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The text in your content seem to be running off the screen in Firefox. I’m not sure if this is a format issue or something to do with internet browser compatibility but I thought I’d post to let you know. The design look great though! Hope you get the problem solved soon. Many thanks : DOLAR77

  8. Hi there just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The words in your article seem to be running off the screen in Internet explorer. I’m not sure if this is a format issue or something to do with browser compatibility but I thought I’d post to let you know. The design look great though ! Hope you get the issue fixed soon. Try to Visit My Web Site : PIKA68

  9. I am constantly amazed by the engaging and thought-provoking content you provide. Your writing takes us on a captivating voyage into knowledge, introspection, and self-discovery. Each word carries weight, leaving readers with a fresh perspective and a desire to ponder and reflect. Your ability to provoke thought and challenge beliefs is truly remarkable. Try to Visit My Web Site : WINSTAR77

  10. I am often to blogging and i actually appreciate your site content. Your content has really peaks my interest. I am going to bookmark your web site and keep checking for new data. Try to Visit My Web Site : MARKAS88

  11. I don’t think the title of your article matches the content lol. Just kidding, mainly because I had some doubts after reading the article. Try to Visit My Web Site : PUSAT77

  12. I have learned some new points from your web-site about computer systems. Another thing I have always imagined is that computers have become something that each household must have for most reasons. They offer convenient ways to organize the home, pay bills, search for information, study, tune in to music and also watch tv programs. An innovative way to complete these tasks is to use a laptop computer. These desktops are mobile, small, powerful and portable. Try to Visit My Web Site : ANGKASA188

  13. Laser247 specializes in advanced laser technologies, providing precision tools and equipment for various industries. Our commitment to innovation ensures high-quality solutions, optimizing performance and reliability. We prioritize customer satisfaction with tailored products designed for efficiency, excellence, and lasting impact across sectors.

  14. Laser247 specializes in advanced laser technologies, providing precision tools and equipment for various industries. Our commitment to innovation ensures high-quality solutions, optimizing performance and reliability. We prioritize customer satisfaction with tailored products designed for efficiency, excellence, and lasting impact across sectors.

  15. Malaysia Airlines Jakarta Office serves as a key hub for the airline’s operations and customer services in Indonesia. Located in Jakarta, this office caters to travelers seeking flights to various destinations within Malaysia Airlines’ extensive network. The office provides a wide range of services, including flight bookings, ticket changes, baggage assistance, and inquiries about frequent flyer programs such as Enrich.

    Staffed by a professional and friendly team, the Malaysia Airlines Jakarta Office ensures a seamless travel experience for its customers. It also serves as a point of contact for resolving travel-related issues and receiving updates on flight schedules. Conveniently situated in the bustling capital city, the office is easily accessible for both local and international travelers. Whether you’re planning a trip to Malaysia, Asia-Pacific, or beyond, the office ensures that your journey with Malaysia Airlines is smooth and enjoyable.

  16. Your writing style has been amazed me. Thank you, quite great article. emergency protective order An Emergency Protective Order (EPO) in Virginia is a temporary, 72-hour provisional measure to protect individuals from domestic violence or stalking, often requested by authorities.

  17. Appreciate the post! Looking forward to more like this.
    criminal law dc
    Reckless driving convictions can impact insurance rates and career prospects, especially if driving is a requirement. A knowledgeable advocate can mitigate the long-term effects.

  18. I just couldn’t leave your site before suggesting that I extremely loved the usual information a person supply for your guests? Is going to be back ceaselessly to investigate cross-check new posts. Try to Visit My Web Site : BANDAR77

  19. I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for your fantastic blog post on Your insights were incredibly helpful, especially. I really appreciate the effort and detail you put into your writing—it made a significant difference for me. Keep up the great work, and I look forward to reading more of your posts! Try to Visit My Web Site : CASINO777

  20. The Custom Handmade Leather Tool Belts from Unique Leather Bags are crafted for durability and comfort, offering the perfect blend of functionality and style. Made from premium full-grain leather, these leather tool belts are designed to withstand the toughest jobs, ensuring long-lasting performance. Available in a variety of colors, including classic brown, black, and tan, they provide a stylish yet practical solution for every professional. Whether you’re using a leather carpenter tool belt, a plumber tool belt, or a leather electrician tool belt, our belts feature well-designed compartments for easy access to your tools. Explore our handmade tool leather belt collection today, with leather tool belts and pouches for added convenience. A leather belt punch tool is also available to customize your fit.

  21. I must thank you for this excellent read! I undoubtedly adored every single aspect of it. I have you bookmarked so I can check out the new content you post. Try to Visit My Web Site : ANGKASA4D

  22. This blog offers a fascinating perspective on the evolution of writing in digital environments, emphasizing audience interaction and engagement. Just as teaching adapts to new technologies, businesses like VIP RIDE 4U innovate too, providing premium Limo Service in San Diego with seamless, customer-focused experiences. Evolution benefits education and industries alike.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *