The first 'use' of invention that people think of is as a means to 'finding' or 'discovering' a topic for a writing assignment. While we quickly come to understand how reductive this 'use' actually is, that invention involves a much deeper understanding of how people engage others in their constructed interactions, the idea of invention as a sort of entry into a subject is straightforward. In this regard, structured heuristics, or formulaic procedures for engaging a subject, are helpful. The Dramatistic Pentad Thelma correctly, I think, identifies audience awareness as the most important aspect of writing, but more problematically claims that Burke's pentad isn't useful in this regard .
Gene seems to agree .
The Tagmemic Matrix Joan sees in the discussions on Burke a clear delinieation between the Old Rhetoric and the New Rhetoric, especially in the theme of promoting identification between writer and reader . Mellanie returns to the concept of problem solving in her approach to explaining the power of the pentad. Wendy feels like tagmemics better defines the relationship of 'things,' but not behavior, and like Mike, finds Pike's claims over encompassing . Jaymi agrees, wondering if the matrix isn't too formulaic and doesn't take the 'desire' to write into consideration. Michele too questions the usefulness both the matrix and Kneupper's adjustment of it in terms of invention, but speculates on its ability to provide cohesion as a revision too.