Visual Arguments

Advertisements, Political Cartoons & Other Messages

Let’s remind our brain… What is an argument? Write down two things

you remember about argument

What is a visual argument? Anything we can see that makes a claim

about the way things are or ought to be Advertisements Political Cartoons Campaign Buttons/posters Graphs/charts with a message Others?

How to read a visual argument:Ask yourself the following questions:

1. Who is sending the message?2. Who is receiving the message?3. What appeals does the text use?4. What is the message?5. What is the sender’s purpose?6. What does the message look like?7. What symbols are used?

For Example:1. Who is sending the message? (Hint: in advertisements, look at who makes the

product)

2. Who is receiving the message? (Hint: Where might this advertisement be

found?)

3. What appeals does the text use? (Hint: is the ad logical, trying to get you to feel

something, or discussing someone’s character?

5. What is the message? (Hint: If this ad could speak, what would it say

to you, the viewer?)

6. What is the sender’s intent? (Hint: What does the company want the

reader to think, see, DO?)

7. What does the message look like? (Hint: Who or what is in the ad? What is at the

center? Background? Are there unusual items placed next to each other? Is there text?)

Let’s Try Again:

Good! Now how about this one?

Not an Advertisement, but Also a Visual Argument:

Nice Work. Now on your own for homework:

Find an visual argument for the 2012 election

Cut it out, paste it on paper Answer the seven questions that

relate to your ad/visual argument—try to place all of this on a single side of the paper

Name, date, period, etc. go on the back