Major Assignment #1: Visual Argument Analysis
Rhetorical Analysis:
The purpose of this writing was to inform the audience of the message the author is trying to convey and stress the importance of driving carefully when driving through small towns. The rhetorical situation refers to the dangers of reckless drivers and the oblivious actions of small children. Throughout the paper, I focused on explaining scenarios and the message behind the advertisement. The essay was professional, so that way the audience knew the information I presented was credible. It's credible due to the fact that it's displayed on a public site and used for a class assignment. The genre of this writing is a rhetorical analysis and that plays a role in the way the essay was shaped. In order to effectively reach the audience it needed to be written in essay format to express each point being made. The section in red is an example of understanding rhetorical knowledge. Critical Thinking, Reading, & Writing: This particular style of writing causes for a great deal of critical thinking. I did a small amount of research beforehand just to gain a little more background knowledge about incidents with children and roads. I was able to use rhetorical appeals to further connect with the audience and give them a better understanding of the issue being discussed. This led to proper evaluation and analyzing of the advertisement, and synthesizing my sources to make my writing credible. Processes: Multiple drafts were created for this essay to ensure that it would be a successful paper. I was able to receive constructive criticism from my peers, as well as give some in order to improve their writing abilities. I was able to better understand my audience, purpose, and situation. Knowledge of Conventions: For this rhetorical analysis, an essay was the best format to use. The design and layout appropriately meets the expectations of the audience. The tone used in this essay helps to integrate the ideas of the artists as well as my own ideas. Surface features such as syntax, grammar, punctuation, and spelling aid in conveying the message to the audience. Before I turn in my work, I always read over it before submitting to ensure that the paper is ready. Composing in Electronic Environments: Instead of being placed in a traditional class setting, our course is taken online. In addition to that, all essays must be submitted using a word document. The process of drafting, reviewing, revising, and editing are all used through Microsoft Word. This teaches us to utilize the electronics given to us so we can learn to work in the modern environment. We also use the internet to find sources of our information, as well as participate in class discussions online. Without the use of the internet, our evidence in our essays would not be credible and the audience would lose interest. Weebly was also helpful in the process of producing this digital portfolio. |
Children at Play
Children thrive in the summertime. For them, that means endless hours outside frolicking and rejoicing in the summer weather. But kids do not understand the dangers of being outside if they are not careful. Anything can happen; and with that being said, drivers should drive with caution through towns. Children are oblivious to the dangers of the road and this can cause horrible accidents. As I was searching the internet for a reasonable ad, I found one that struck me to my core. It was a self-explanatory picture of a young girl no more than six or seven years of age. She looked completely normal, except for this large impression on her head that resembled a dent in a car due to an accident. Her eyes were big and filled with so much hurt and weariness. On the bottom left corner of the picture was a phrase saying, "In town, car accidents don’t just happen to cars. Slow down". The enthymeme of this ad is drivers should be cautious when driving because anything can happen. Children have no understanding of how dangerous the roads can be. One minute, everything can be peaceful and quiet. Within a matter of seconds, that peaceful bliss can erupt into hysteria and chaos. I was almost a witness to a horrible wreck due to the carelessness of children at play. The car swerved off the road to avoid hurting any of the children. Luckily, no one was injured and the only damage was to the car. With that being said, parents should be watchful of their children’s actions when they are not inside the home. I believe that if one wants to make a lasting impression and leave with a meaningful message, they should evoke emotion. This is exactly what the ad has done for me. Through the use of pathos, the ad has given the reader an insight to a different perspective. Upon looking at the ad, the child is noticed. Almost immediately the reader evokes maternal or paternal feelings. The reader then connects the child in the ad to one in their life. It could be a brother, sister, cousin, or daughter. However, it appears that girls are more vulnerable than boys, so that gives me reason to believe this is why they placed a girl in this particular advertisement. As humans, we react to suffering and pain with a great deal of emotion. The producers of the picture know this. That’s why they placed this horrific picture of this young girl on the ad. No one can bear the thought, let alone the image, of a child being hit by a car. This ad is in place to modify the way one thinks and drives in order to provide a safer environment for children at play. The image presented appears as detrimental, malicious, and deadly. All of these can come to pass if the message behind the advertisement is not taken into consideration. This image makes one think of those who may have lost children due to car accidents and the carelessness of the driver. People need to understand that speeding through towns can bring only harm to the people in the community. In all honesty, what’s worse? Someone rushing because they could be running late, or a child losing their life? Whatever the case may be, it can always be put on hold if it means sparing the life of a child. The graphic elements of this advertisement are minimal. All the focus is placed on the young girl. As you can see, the background is a greyish color. It’s very dull and ominous, which goes perfectly with the setup of this ad. It helps the reader to understand that this is no laughing matter. Lives can be at stake, and it’s up to us to make a difference in whether we keep those lives or take them. With that being said, no one wants to think of a child’s life being taken because a driver failed to slow down. Hopefully, this ad has evoked a changed in you and helped you to become a better driver. It’s done just that for me. Now I’ll always be more cautious when driving through small towns. |