Analyzing Dialogical Rhetoric

James Zappen a Professor of Communications and Media at the University of Missouri, wrote a book titled The Rebirth of Dialogue: Bakhtin, Socrates, and the Rhetorical Tradition.

“Dialogue is not simply a way of persuading others to accept our ideas, but a way of holding ourselves, and others, accountable for all of our thoughts, words, and actions. In supporting this premise, Bakhtin challenges the traditions of argument and persuasion handed down from Plato and Aristotle, and he offers, as an alternative, a dialogical rhetoric that restructures the traditional relationship between speakers and listeners, writers and readers, as a mutual testing, contesting, and creating of ideas. . . . Bakhtin’s dialogical rhetoric is not restricted to oral discourse, but is possible in any medium, including written, graphic, and digital.” – James Zappen,”

In this quote explaining Dialogical Rhetoric, it gave me a complicated thought process of the way people are held accountable for not only our oral discourse, but for written, graphic and digital disbursements as well. Traditional communication efforts have developed since the Plato and Aristotle age. In the past, people were only held accountable for thoughts, words, and actions. Times have now changed to include our new forms of communication, which is not limited to but also includes, written, graphic, and digital materials.

I chose to analyze a blog written by Jason Abbruzzese. Abbruzzese writes for Mashable.com. It is obvious by Abbruzzess’ use of hypertext and references that dialogical rhetoric is not being restricted to only oral discourse. This blog demonstrates  how we are all held accountable for what we do or say in life whether it is written or verbal. Not only does he include references and hypertext links to prove his factual content. He also, includes these hypertext links to allow readers to easily navigate throughout his blog. Pictures are also posted along each blog to catch the readers eye. Below is the picture that caught my eye which prompted me to read his blog. As I read in chapter one of, “Letting go of the words” written by Janice (Ginny) Redish, “People come for the content”, That is exactly what made me click on this blog. I came to find information I hoped this article included to help me in my research study.

One thing not apparent was Abbruzzeses’ way of incorporating his site visitors. I am not for sure if this is all done on the main site of Mashable.com, but  it would be very economical for each individual blog writer to include a way for site visitors to have accesses to leave comments and become followers. All people should have a voice. Per chapter two of, “Letting go of the Words” Listing groups of site visitors is one way to ask,”How do people identify themselves with regard to my web content?” However, I did notice a followers and comment area on the page. I was not able to click this area to leave a comment or add myself as a follower.

According to, Journalism Next  by Mark Briggs, “Journalism needs You.” That to me say’s that we the people should have a say in all things we do. Yes, we are to follow guidelines of the rich enhancements our world has come to, but without a voice. Who are we?

How do Computers change the way we interact with written Content on the Web as opposed to a traditional essay or print newspaper article?

In the past before computers, people read article and books for reasons such as research, news updates, and just for fun. People have always been able to choose the book or article of their choice. Now, with computer and technology advancements, social networking and researching has evolved incredibly to provide a variety of information on the spot with less physical or mental activity. Yes, a person can still have a choice in what they read, but according to Nicholas Carr in “Is Google Making us Stupid” computers are, changing the way humans think. Carr explains that there are many advantages to the web and he believes the web has been a “godsend”, but feels as if every time he tries to emerge himself in a book his mind begins to, “drift” after a few pages. Carr has had conversations with friends and found he is not the only one feeling this way. Yes, he feels this is great for him as a writer, but also feels as if at the same time this could be changing the way he thinks. (Carr, 2008).

Carr could absolutely be correct on this matter. This computer and technology progression might make a person’s job or interest easier when it comes to researching, but at the same time this could also be changing the way people think. The Ted talk, “Beware online filter bubbles,” by Eli Pariser illustrates how Google, Facebook, Yahoo news and many other websites, “Flirt with Personalization”. This is called using filter bubbles. Pariser emphasizes on how, “Algorithmic” editing is widely used without knowledge which leads to an, “Epic struggle between present and future”.

As print takes a turn to the new age technology, there is no doubt that Carr’s illogicalities in, “Is Google making us stupid?” will or have changed the way we interact with written content. I feel somewhat the same as Carr when it comes to reading print material out of a book or article. I find myself falling asleep and failing to comprehend as quickly, which leads me to repeating my readings on one page a number of times. My composition on this is that, if I can gather the same knowledge on the web in 5 minutes as I can reading in written material for a long period of time, why not research the Web? This could partially be due to the fact that we all need to have an understanding of the matter and maximize the balance of material read and researched on the internet or as Pariser says we could be, “filled with Junk food”.

About Me

My Name is Trisha Hobbie. I am married with 2 beautiful girls ages 12 and 5.  My husband and I own a Construction company and  I also work part-time as a Staff Accountant at the YMCA.  I am currently a student in the B.S Converged Communications program at FSCJ. I would say my life stays pretty busy though all of my daily activities and routines. Since I am too busy to get involved with any other extra curricular activities other than the sports my children play, I consider school to be my extra curricular activity. I enjoy learning new things which makes me an excellent student who is determined to make the best grades possible. I am thrilled to say that the Converged Communication field is a diverse field. There are many options and opportunities that will arise from having such a degree. I am interested, but not limited to the fields of Media and Public Relations which fall within this degree. I am the type of student who will spend hours on a paper or homework. I guess you can say, I like to perfect things in life not just skate by. Along with my determination to do the best to my ability in school, I am also on a mission to complete my degree as soon as possible. Yes, it seems hard at times with having so much on my plate, but I am in a complete understanding that it will all be worth it in the end.