It is often claimed that words are one of the most powerful ways to deliver information to the readers. After a long process of analyzing, a more effective way to affect the audience has been revealed. It is the use of images. Therefore, a visual argument essay takes the upper hand when it comes to influencing the readers. The examples of visual arguments are used in a wide variety of spheres. They are particularly popular in advertisements due to the effectiveness of pictures usage. In this visual argument essay, examples of persuasive images are provided, along with the definition, format, and analysis of visual arguments.
What Is a Visual Argument?
Basically, a visual argument is a supporting (or rebuttal) statement. It utilizes various images to intensify the effect on the audience. It is undoubtedly true that pictures or other visual art pieces help engage a wider range of people. In addition, images sometimes may reflect the values and beliefs of the culture. Thus, visuals arguments are more appealing to the public than verbal ones.
Exploring the usage of the images as a way of conveying the message requires substantial research. That is why visual rhetoric should be examined. The desire to watch a movie or a cartoon is probably familiar to everyone. Though, not everyone notices when it happens after seeing a poster. A bright advertising picture can lead to taking part in a charity event, as well. Such experiences may be shared for the majority of people. These are examples of the visual rhetoric impact. Hence, employing visual rhetoric, the author can reach different outcomes. For instance, they can induce a compassion effect, a comic effect, a tragic effect, etc.
Marketing companies often use the advantages of visual rhetoric. Each one tries to create an impressive image with appropriate supportive words. It can become an effective way for a successful product or a service promotion. Visual argument advertisements are the most effective in persuading consumers to make a purchase.
Visual Argument Example: Gatorade Ad
Among the diversity of visual argument images, one of the most powerful for a visual argument analysis essay is Gatorade’s advertisement—a drink for sportspeople. It illustrates the superiority of the Gatorade drink, among other beverages. A bright picture of a bottle and a memorable slogan is a marketing specialist’s dream. It combines three main aspects of a successful visual add: use of colors, supernatural power, shock appeal.
The developers of the given visual ad reached a perfect mix of colors. The dominating ones of the poster are blue and green, which are generally considered to be natural ones. Nothing can be more powerful than nature. This idea serves as the hidden message of this color combination. As a result of this color mixing technique, the ad creator reaches its primary goal—the assuring of success in the racing competition.
In addition to an effective colors’ combination, the advertisement reflects the supernatural power. The image illustrates the bright container with Gatorade drink that pulling away and winning the racing tournament. Moreover, it seems that the bottle with the advertised drink is reaching the sky. This detail makes the ad even more eye-appealing.
Visual Argument Analysis: Examples of Rhetorical Devices
The rhetorical analysis helps to understand that the trick of placing the bottle ahead of other beverages is exceptionally effective. It persuades the audience to believe that Gatorade provides the drink takers with supernatural power. Hence, it motivates the target audience to purchase the beverage. The advertisement compares the athletes to the Gatorade. Thus, it convinces them that they will show excellent performance in the competition, as Gatorade does on the visual ad.
Apart from the use of colors and supernatural power, the given visual argument image implements other methods. For example, it uses a shock appeal technique. The ad demonstrates a real-life racing competition with a metaphoric contestant—the Gatorade beverage. Consider the effect of reaching the sky by the container. It creates a vision of an incredibly strong nature of the beverage. As a result, the audience is shocked by Gatorade’s supernatural power and encouraged to buy it. Consequently, a shock appeal makes the visual argument images more effective.
Visual Arguments Examples: Conclusion
The visual argument pictures are more powerful than verbal arguments. They are widely used in the advertisement sector and help to reach a high degree of effectiveness. The advertisers can create well-developed persuasive advertisements via various techniques. For example, they can depend on the wise use of colors, the demonstration of supernatural power, and shock appeal. Therefore, visual effects are one of the most powerful tools for impacting the audience. Making them purchase a product is less complicated with an ad.
Visual Argument Essay Examples: FAQ
What is meant by art as a visual argument?
Some art pieces, such as pictures, graphic images, photographs, etc. can play the role of a visual argument. With the usage of the visual arts, the process of proving the rightness of ideas becomes more efficient. Thus, art may become a powerful tool for supporting the writer’s position.
Why are visual arguments important?
Visual arguments help to advocate the point of view, prove the idea, support the position. However, unlike verbal arguments, visual ones are more appealing to the audience. They have more effective attention-grabbing elements and engage a broader range of people. Thus, the effectiveness of the visual arguments makes them essential.
How to make a visual argument?
Chose an image that would support your position regarding the given issue effectively. Based on the selected picture, develop your ideas and persuade the readers to accept your point of view. Remember that your visual argument has to attract the audience and leave a strong impression.
What are some visual argument topics?
A successful topic for a visual argument has to be relevant to the audience. These are the most popular ones:
- Social inequity;
- Racism;
- Environmental pollution;
- Human trafficking;
- Advertisement;
- Social media influence.
Find a poster, banner, image, graph, etc. and develop your argument based on the chosen visual tool.
How do you start a visual argument essay?
The best way to start a visual argument essay is to introduce the selected image. Provide its brief background and explain how it fits in the general idea of your essay. Also, you can start your visual argument essay by familiarizing the readers with your topic.
What are the components of visual rhetoric?
The main components of visual rhetoric are images and illustrations. Then there are color, font style, size, the objects’ shape. The arrangement of the figures within a text also plays a role. The elements of the visual rhetoric are the tools that help the author to convey the message effectively.