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Discovering Arguments In And Around Code: Sweetland Digital Rhetoric

Elton Hayes

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Published in Rhetorical Code Studies: Discovering Arguments In And Around Code (Sweetland Digital Rhetoric Collaborative)

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In the realm of digital rhetoric, the concept of argumentation extends beyond traditional forms of written and spoken discourse to encompass the ways in which code can be used to make arguments. This article explores the relationship between code and argumentation, examining how code can be used to construct persuasive claims and how arguments can be embedded within code. We will draw on the work of Jonathan Sterne, Jessica Rettberg, and other scholars in the field of digital rhetoric to illuminate the rhetorical dimensions of code.

Code as Argument

Code is not simply a neutral tool for representing information. It is also a medium for expressing ideas and making claims. As Jonathan Sterne argues in his book The Audible Past, code can be seen as a form of "sonic writing" that can be used to create persuasive effects. For example, the use of certain sound effects or musical cues in a video game can be used to create a particular mood or atmosphere, which can in turn influence the player's experience of the game.

Rhetorical Code Studies: Discovering Arguments in and around Code (Sweetland Digital Rhetoric Collaborative)

by Katharine Graves

4.7 out of 5

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Code can also be used to make more explicit arguments. For example, the design of a website or app can be used to convey a particular message or point of view. The placement of certain elements on a page, the use of particular colors or fonts, and the way that users are able to interact with the site or app can all be used to make persuasive claims.

Arguments in Code

In addition to using code to make arguments, it is also possible to embed arguments within code itself. This can be done through the use of comments, documentation, or even the code itself. For example, a programmer may include comments in their code to explain the purpose of a particular function or to provide instructions on how to use it. These comments can be seen as a form of argumentation, as they are used to persuade the reader to adopt a particular interpretation of the code.

Documentation is another way to embed arguments within code. Documentation provides information about the purpose, structure, and use of a particular piece of code. This information can be used to persuade the reader to adopt a particular understanding of the code. For example, the documentation for a library or framework may explain the benefits of using that particular library or framework, or it may provide examples of how to use it to achieve certain goals.

Finally, the code itself can also be seen as a form of argumentation. The way that code is structured, the algorithms that it implements, and the data that it processes can all be seen as making claims about the world. For example, a sorting algorithm can be seen as making a claim about the best way to organize a list of data. A machine learning algorithm can be seen as making a claim about the relationship between certain features of data and a particular outcome.

This article has provided a brief overview of the relationship between code and argumentation. We have seen that code can be used to make arguments, that arguments can be embedded within code, and that the code itself can be seen as a form of argumentation. This understanding of the rhetorical dimensions of code is essential for anyone who wants to understand the role of code in digital culture.

As code becomes increasingly pervasive in our lives, it is more important than ever to be able to critically analyze the arguments that are embedded within it. By understanding the rhetorical dimensions of code, we can become more informed and engaged participants in the digital world.

References

Sterne, Jonathan. The Audible Past: Cultural Origins of Sound Reproduction. Duke University Press, 2003.
Rettberg, Jessica. Blogging. Polity, 2008.
Swearingen, Kira. "Toward a Rhetorical Analysis of Digital Objects." Rhetoric Society Quarterly, vol. 41, no. 2, 2011, pp. 143-166.
Manovich, Lev. "Software Takes Command." Software Studies: A Lexicon, edited by Matthew Fuller, p. 363. MIT Press, 2008.

Image Alt Text: A photo of a computer code being displayed on a monitor.

Long Tail Title: Discovering Arguments In And Around Code: An to Digital Rhetoric

Rhetorical Code Studies: Discovering Arguments in and around Code (Sweetland Digital Rhetoric Collaborative)

by Katharine Graves

4.7 out of 5