Visual Rhetorical Analysis Prewriting

The Image:

[include the URL or Copy/Paste the actual image into the post]

Rhetorical Situation:

 Identify the audience. Broadly, who does the image target or appeal to? Also, more specifically, who does the image target or appeal to? (describe the audience — age group, values, background, experience, education, lifestyle, economic situation, etc.)

 Identify the exigence (the context, situation, opportunity, or environment in which the image functions/appeals to audience)

Formal Elements:

For each of the items below, identify or describe the element. Where indicated, please describe how the formal element works (what does it do? how does it function?). I don’t expect long paragraphs or formal writing. Phrases, notes, and points are all acceptable. I expect that you’ll write the most for the items that are most important. In other words, if there isn’t any significant repetition in your image, then I don’t expect more than a few words (or even “no repetition”). But if there’s a lot of interesting and/or significant contrast, then I expect you’ll write a bit more about it.

 Identify the colors or color scheme

 Identify the layout (spacious, cramped, busy, simple, etc.; describe in your own terms)

 Describe the fonts/typefaces (if any)

 Describe the subject(s) and/or foci (who or what is in the visual, what are their positions, relationships, angle, distances, etc.)

 Describe other visual elements (logos, lines, shapes, non-text elements, or anything else significant)

 Describe any significant use of contrast. How does contrast function? (what does it do? how does it work? what does it convey?)

 Describe any significant use of repetition. How does repetition function? (what does it do? how does it work? what does it convey?)

 Describe any significant use of alignment. How does alignment function? (what does it do? how does it work? what does it convey?)

 Describe any significant use of proximity. How does proximity function? (what does it do? how does it work? what does it convey?)

Rhetorical Appeals:

Short sentences or phrases are fine. Use the most text to describe the most persuasive, effective, or interesting appeals.

 How does the image appeal to ethos?

 How does the image appeal to pathos?

 How does the image appeal to logos?

Analysis/Synthesis:

A few sentences for each.

 What do you think is the overall argument and purpose of this image?

 What are the most important formal elements and what are the effects of these formal elements on the persuasiveness of the text?

 What are the most effective rhetorical appeals and how do they impact the persuasiveness of the image to the audience?