Visual Argument Analysis
Since one must recognize and understand the arguments of others before writing an argument, we will continue our examination of arguments that we established in previous assignments. In this essay assignment, students will analyze visual advertisements in order to understand how each attempts to persuade.
In his essay, “Masters of Desire: The Culture of American Advertising,” Jack Solomon claims: “Because ours is a highly diverse, pluralistic society, various advertisements may say different things depending on their intended audiences, but in every case they say something about America, about the status of our hopes, fears, desires, and beliefs.” Your task is to find print advertisements in magazines or on sites such as Google images. The essay will analyze the visual, cultural, and promotional basis of the advertisements.
Your analysis should deconstruct the print ad image completely from both a logical perspective (how the advertisement is structured and presented) and a cultural perspective (how the advertiser thinks the ad will connect and work in a specific culture). As a result of this assignment, you should find yourself becoming more critical of advertiser’s techniques or persuasion while also arriving at a better understanding of arguments.
As prewriting, you should examine each ad thoroughly and then freewrite to generate ideas. We will be examining advertising as a form of argument and sharpen skills by looking at sample ads.
The essay should be 4-5 pages (typed and double spaced).
You must also cite at least once from “The Mighty Image”(linked in class) and “The Rise of Image Culture.” (in our book) Do include these in your Works Cited.
