Visual Argument Assignment

Dawn predominately uses an ethical argument as it's advertising strategy.

Possible Images for Visual Rhetoric Assignment

 

September 5, 2011

 In Susan Orbach’s article, Fat is an Advertising Issue, she addresses the now well-known negative effects of beauty advertisements, especially towards women. In today’s media-drenched society, women are bombarded by an estimated 5,000 advertisements a day. As a woman who has grown up in this generation of constant propaganda, I can appreciate both the pros and cons of advertisements on females.

Advertising can both have negative and positive effects on their audience. Though most advertisers either do not realize, or do not care, about the negative effects their advertisements can have on a person, ads with women like Twiggy as their model send a clear message to the viewers: you must look like this to be beautiful. The correlation between eating disorders in adolescents and the amount of images like those of Twiggy they see is clear. This is obviously a negative aspect of some advertisements.

Obviously, not all advertisers use waif models to sell their product. They do not believe that presenting their product in such a way is an effective tool of advertisement. It is because of these advertisers we have adds like those for UnderArmour, which presents women who are still thin, but look healthy and active. I personally see nothing wrong with advertising that may make some women feel inadequate, but is meant to promote healthy living. If feeling inadequate is what it takes to make overweight Americans live a healthy lifestyle, then the negative feelings the advertisements can cause can have a positive effect of on society.

In general, I do think that Susie Orbach makes several valid points in her article, Fat is an Advertising Issue. However, I believe she over generalizes the advertising world and lumps all advertisements together in a way that is simply not true. Though Dove’s Real Beauty Campaign is an admirable improvement, the idea of advertising all body types should do just that; advertise all body types. Not just the beautiful, overweight women, but the healthy thin women and the naturally waifish women as well.

Blog Due 8/31/11

As society as become more and more saturated by advertisements, as more forms of media have been created, marketing agencies have been forced to become more and more creative when trying to sell their product. The Public Service Announcement (PSA) above is an excellent example of their creative struggle. Sponsored by Denver Water, the bench reminds viewers to conserve water. Through using humor and shock value, both forms of a pathetic argument, Denver Water clearly proves their point and conveys their message.

The bright orange of the bench attracts a viewer’s attention, while the missing parts of the bench keep their attention. Because our mind automatically assumes that a bench should be a certain length, our eyes stay attracted to the advertisement. When something is that eye-catching, we keep our attention on it, and what to find out more about it, and what it means. These are all signs of pathos. The PSA has only the amount of seating needed for one person, or only what is absolutely necessary. This reflects the purpose of the PSA, which is to only use the absolute minimum of water whenever possible.

This advertisement is effective in it’s argument because people will look and dissect the PSA long enough to understand it’s point, and hopefully apply it to their daily life.

First Blog Post

Today in class, Mr. Stowe mentioned how a visual argument can be anything, from the obvious, like political cartoons, to the not so obvious, such as how one presents themselves. Wearing a nice button down shirt sends a different message, or argument, than wearing a ratty t-shirt. This is especially relevant to me this week, as I go through sorority recruitment.

As a sophomore, this will be my first time going through recruitment as a sister. Girls who are rushing know that looking presentable and looking like they care as they go through the rounds is a very important part of getting a bid. I remember checking each of my “rush outfits” with my cousin, who was in a sorority at another school, before each round. On the other side, appearance is also important. We are expected to look put together for not only each round, but also each day throughout recruitment.

The girls you see walking around in letter shirts probably do not usually wake up hours early to blow-dry their hair and perfectly apply their makeup just for class. However, during this week, we are trying to send a message, or make an argument, to the girls who are rushing who see us on campus. We are trying to show that we take ourselves and our education seriously enough to make sure we look as nice as possible. We are trying to prove that we love our respective sororities so much we want to be wearing our letters all the time. We want others to believe that if they rush our sorority, they will love their university and their Greek organization just as much as we do.

As a sister, I accept that this week, people everywhere are judging me on my appearance, and thus I should put my best face forward. I accept that this may mean I have to wear eyeliner to class, and I accept that there is a reason for this. I will look nice whenever I am around on campus for the same reason Mr. Stowe wore a button up shirt to class today- I am representing something larger than myself, and I want to represent it well.