We've read McCloud and Faigley, so it's time to use our theorists and our own life experiences and compose a definition for visual rhetoric. We'll return to this question at the end of the week, so this week we'll do our free write on the blog so that we can all benefit from our different perspectives.
So, what is visual rhetoric?
Visual rhetoric is using the right conventions and devices, whether it be in print, digital, or done in the form of spoken word,to bring a target audience to a certain conclusion about your point of view. It uses different styles in different genres to address the audience and complements the composition as a whole to persuade people a certain way.
ReplyDeleteVisual rhetoric is an aspect of composition that requires skills with not only writing but with the use of visual communication. I think that the visual aspect of rhetoric is extremely important because as viewers and observers an image usually jumps out at us before we are able to read the text around it. Visual rhetoric can be seen throughout magazines, comic books and newspapers. This form of rhetoric can give us an idea of what is in store for us as readers before observing the information the text has to offer. Faigley places large emphasis on the magazine cover and how images affect the print medium. He describes how certain aspects (postulates) of the placement of images are translated into context and how these various "rules" for image placement determine our level of interest in a composition.
ReplyDeleteCombining the views of McCloud and Faigley, and my own views, I feel like I've been able to create a simple definition of visual rhetoric. Visual rhetoric is the situation that the writer and the audience can see around them. It is what the audience visualizes when reading as well as what the writer is trying to portray in their piece. This not only applies in what the audience is presently reading, but can also be applied in what the audience predicts will happen further along in the storyline.
ReplyDeleteVisual rhetoric in my opinion would be the way one uses visuals (pictures, symbols, icons etc.) in order to help an individual understand the message. Visual rhetoric is also another way to communicate with the audience instead of using complex text to clarify a thought or idea. Visual rhetoric is a simpler way to help individuals grasp the ideas of certain content.
ReplyDeleteI see visual rhetoric as almost the same thing as genre. You must know your audience in order to make an affective presentation. For instance, McCloud uses the style of comics to describe what a comic book is and the different means and styles within a typical comic. On the other hand, Bitzer used only text to describe the rhetorical situation. Neither one of these are wrong, but simply a different way of relaying your message. In some instances more visually stimulating projects will cause greater attention towards you and what you are trying to explain. This is seen in children’s books such as Dr. Seuss. He uses many interesting pictures and little text on each page to make the story sound interesting to those who read it. However, you wouldn’t want to use an over abundance of pictures and drawings if you are doing a project in a college class or trying to present something in front of the CEO of a major company. Therefore, visual rhetoric is similar to genre by simply knowing who your audience is and being fluid enough to adjust when needed.
ReplyDeleteVisual rhetoric is not awfully different as written rhetoric. When we talk about the visual, we assume that it is an extension of the written word, having said that we use the visual to either illustrate a thought that we believe will be more effective with the addition of the visual, or as a way to complement our written thoughts.
ReplyDeleteIn the case of Images that do not a written complement, we allow the image itself to give us a very subjective inner thought of what the image can or cannot express. The perfect analogy would probably be art, in which the audience comes with endless personal thoughts, and it is up to the individual itself to find what it all means.
I think of visual rhetoric in comparison to advertising. The core of rhetoric is persuasion or argument and i think that transcends to visual rhetoric as well. What comes to mind first when i think of visual advertisement is the numerous billboards i pass on the drive from home back up to school. I spend mere seconds glancing at these billboards before they pass by but within those few short moments I am able to convey the brief message that these billboards are trying to get across. Wheather they are bashing abortion or advertising the worlds best cup of coffee at the next exit, each billboard is making some kind of argument in effort to persuade me in some way.
ReplyDeleteVisual rhetoric is the way one receive information threw sight. Some people prefer the simple black and white while other may find colors more effective. I think that McCloud explain it well when said that cartoons make it easier to convey messages without interfering with the minds of the receiver. Somehow being told to help prevent forest fires by Smoky Bear is more effective than hearing it from let’s say the local news anchor person. Visual rhetoric is one the things that clothing designer pay close attention to. When shopping I notice that then store keep all the seasonal items in the front of the store so that is the first that customers see when they walk into the store. Even though these items may not be on their list some people will buy them because they catch their eyes
ReplyDeleteVisual rhetoric. Hmmmmm....What is it? Let's start w/me cheating (researching!) and looking up "rhetoric" on dictionary.com:
ReplyDelete1. (in writing or speech) the undue use of exaggeration or display; bombast.
2. the art or science of all specialized literary uses of language in prose or verse, including the figures of speech.
3. the study of the effective use of language.
For the sake of exploring visual rhetoric, let's forget about #1. When I consider the second and third definition, I can now focus my mind of a few brainstorm definitions... VISUAL RHETORIC: the art or science of stimulating thought or discussion through imagery...VISUAL RHETORIC: the use of imagery to inspire discourse or thought...VISUAL RHETORIC: imparting knowledge and encouraging opinions through the use of imagery...VISUAL RHETORIC: th
Visual rhetoric is the discussion of images evoking questions and higher thought process once upon looking at them. The image should propose at least one argument Many of the images concern topics from today’s society and history. Visual rhetoric views an image in varying manners. There should be an analysis of composition, design, and content in order to fully interpret the material.
ReplyDeleteVisual rhetoric is a multi-faceted practice of language, whether that language is put to use through oral, mere visual or written traditions. It is important to note that all affect each other in different ways. Purchasing a book or magazine may be influenced by the images on the cover, actually listening to a speech may be influenced more by how the person is saying something rather than what they’re saying, or text accompanying an image may create an internal (and even possibly external) discourse about the image. Like basic rhetoric, visual rhetoric is based around persuading an audience to see things the way you want them to be seen. By not adding text to an image, for example, the chances of that are lessened as one individual may interpret the image differently than another. Therefore, it is important to know the weaknesses of the media you’re going to use and adjust it in order to best affect your intended audience.
ReplyDelete