Rhetoric infers choices
for both communicator
and audience.

Barron and Orwig

Rhetoric Infers Choices

Technical communicators use language to induce cooperation in their targeted audience. When technical communicators practice rhetoric, they make decisions regarding the subject, audience, purpose, point of view, and message. Each writer selects the best evidence, the best order in which to present the information and the best way to express ideas simply, directly, and accurately. With the advent of multimedia technologies, writers now have a powerful means to persuade their audience.

Orwig and Barron indicate that multimedia, when used in an instructional environment, presents opportunities for both training and educational programs. When used appropriately, it can provide a phenomenal way to enhance learner motivation, exploration, and instruction in a multisensory, diverse world. A challenge rests with each of us in the multimedia development team to effectively integrate multimedia technology in both instructional and training programs (Barron, Orwig:95 7).

We live in a dynamic,
changing environment,
and we instinctively
notice and attend to sounds and moving objects.

William Horton