What I learned

In my Visual Rhetoric assignment for English 103, I learned and practiced a variety of skills which are great for analyzing and identifying tactics which can be used to make an argument. I found that analyzing context and target audience more enlightening aspects of the paper. Now, I can appreciate the benefit of understanding just who you are trying to convince and then use that understanding to say the words and make the points that will make a difference to the audience. As for studying context, it was new for me to actually point out the rhetorical argument which the setting makes. Before, I would have been much more inclined to claim context was obvious or inexplicable. Now, however, I see that context particularly defines who the target audience is.

                The whole concept of logos and Pathos were (at least as far as pointing them out specifically) new to me. The moods of the faces in an image can do just as much argumentally than a page of text, explanations, and definitions. An emotional appeal is probably the first, biggest thing which will catch and keep the audience’s attention. It is then the explanations and reasons that will then satisfy and validate the argument in its entirety. This is the part of rhetoric which gives backbone and credibility. Ethos, on a separate note, seems to be based simply in reputation and credibility. I would have guessed previously that ethos would have something to do with the stability of the logical argument or with whether the argument was ‘true’ or ‘right.’ Ethos is a particularly relevant aspect in this day and age, where people will agree with others based simply on who they are known as. Celebrity endorsements, likewise, are widespread because of the effect Ethos has in an argument. I hope to address that aspect more in future assignments.

facebook picture

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    This Facebook picture is one in which I have posed. When posing for it, I considered many things I would like to display myself as. Also, in selecting this picture apart from the other pictures, I chose to present certain things I would like to show in a picture of myself. In this day and age, many people are evaluated based upon an image of the person. For this reason, I took especial care in posing and later selecting, and later selecting, this image. In order to make this picture my choice, I implemented many forms of invention.

    Invention is the tool by which we give our 'text' or work tone, content, context, or any other aspects involved in its creation or selection. One of the first things to notice about my picture, and about almost every picture taken, is that I am smiling. Since smiling portrays a happy person, everyone wants to be seen smiling (who wouldn't want to be viewed as a happy?). This sets a tone for the rest of the image, as if I am partaking or approve of the picture as a whole. The ocean in the background shows my at the beach, which is certainly a time I should be pleased (smiling). I used this photo also because of the ocean in the background. The ocean is a place where many people have fun, spend their vacations, or basically spend their free time. Time at the ocean is viewed as one's better of even best time of the month or even year. By putting the ocean in my own picture, I am showing myself in a position in which they possibly wished to be themselves. By putting myself in a place where they want to be or wish they could be, I try to make them approve of me for being there. So, by putting the ocean in the background I am actually trying to have viewers approve or respect me because I was there.

http://www.facebook.com/david.rabideau.94?fref=ts

intro of rhetoric

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On a daily basis, I have found I am exposed to Rhetoric. Rhetoric is the tool which can be used to persuade and is often used in modern advertising, politics, and magazines to sell an idea. Whether it is to convince someone to buy a certain product, become interested in something, or believe your point, Rhetoric will be used. Speakers, writers, and filmmakers all use rhetoric in order to engage their audience and impress upon them a certain idea or perspective. A rhetorical argument can use several tools. 

Logos are one of those tools, and it works by appealing to the viewers or readers logic and intelligence. An advertisement which used Logos would seek to demonstrate the superiority of their product or service by providing fact, statistics, and surveys. Are argument which uses logos will try to appeal to its audiences logic.

Another rhetorical tool, Ethos, seeks to convince by establishing trust or authority. Many ads which use celebrity endorsements are appealing to the viewers sense of ethos. Many advertisements and political cartoons will try to build a reputation, and to make themselves known among their audience.

Almost all advertisements and commercials will make use of Pathos, which is to appeal to an audiences' emotions. This includes the widespread use of humor in order to make a point memorable. Other very common uses include appealing to one's sympathy, as with many charities seeking donations. These people will show images of those in need, and describe difficult life situations of those they are trying to aid. Anger is another common tool which is used especially in politics. A political faction will often try to demonstrate how their adversary is imposing on the public's rights or benefits. Anger is oftentimes used to create a common enemy and therefore convince the audience they are the best choice to vote for.