Visual Args (WA C. 9)

Rhetorical Triangle Visual arguments help all points of

triangle How?

Ways of Analyzing Visual Args

As you view a visual object, think about: Design Elements Compositional Features of drawings or

photographs Genre

We'll look at each of these in turn.

Design Elements

Use of type: font style,

size,

emphasis (bold, ALL CAPS, italics, underlining)

Design Elements (cont.)

Use of space and layout page size & type of paper proportion of text to white space arrangement of text on page use of highlighting elements (bulleted lists,

tables, boxes, sidebars, etc.) use of headings; breaking text into visual

units

Design Elements (cont.)

Use of color variations in font color for effect use of color in images or graphics use of background tints and colored shading

Design Elements (cont)

Images and graphics photographs drawings numeric graphs

Compositional Features

Type of drawing or photograph documentary-like fiction-like

Compositional Features (cont.)

Distance from subject close-up

increase intensity suggest importance of subject

long shot blend subject into background emphasize surroundings

Compositional Features (cont.)

Orientation of image and camera angle above subject, below subject, etc? facing subject or behind subject

Point of view Use of color

Compositional Features (cont.)

Compositional special effects blurring blending realistic & unrealistic images

Juxtaposition of images how do images in scene relate to each other?

Manipulation of images air-brushing cropped for emphasis? background removal

Compositional Features (cont.)

Settings, furnishing, & props Characters, roles, actions

image tells a story? what are people in image doing?

Presentation of images multiple images – how do they relate to each

other? how does text relate to images?

Genres

Posters & fliers Public Affairs/Advocacy Cartoons Web pages Many more...

Think about intended audience.

Think about source

What do they say about image?

Analysis of Visual Arg

Analyze visual argument using three categories (and subcategories) we just talked about design elements compositional features genre

Looks at specific elements and figure out what argument is being made

Font usage

Documentary

Realistic?

Distance from subjectSettingCharacters, roles, actions

Close-upJuxtaposition of images

Point of viewLong shotUse of colorManipulation of image

Orientation – photographing subject downwardsCharacters, roles, and actionsProps

Orientation – photographing subject upwardsSpecial effects

Use of Color in photographsCharacters, roles, and actions