Visual arguments

1. Who created this visual text? Who distributed it?
2. What can you find out about these people and other work that they have done?
3. What does the creator’s attitude seem to be toward the image?
He wants the viewer’s sympathy for the man on the street.
4. What do the creator and the distributor intend its effects to be? Do they have the same intentions?
They both want to raiseawareness and show humanity and life as it truly is (raw, unfair, and sometimes unpleasant)
5. Which media are used for this visual text? Images only? Words and images? Sound, video, graphs, or charts?
The media used here is both visual text and an image.
6. How are media used to communicate words and images? How do various media work together?
The media communicates a message. The signin the man’s hands shows what he wants, the look on his wrinkled dirt covered face conveys a different message, a mixture of disparity and hope.
7. What effect does the medium have on the message of the visual text? How would the message be altered if different media were used?
The medium helps the viewers place a face, a person, with the plea written on the piece of cardboard. If the messagewere to be shown by itself it wouldn’t have the same effect.
8. What role is played by the words that accompany the visual text? How do they clarify, reinforce, blur, or contradict the image’s message?
The words accompanying the visual text voice what the man is thinking and wanting. It reinforces the idea that the man has no money by asking for money, but also reminds us that he is ahuman with a need for acceptance or at least tolerance. He asks those who pass by for smiles.
9. What does the visual text assume about its viewers and about what they know and agree with?
The visual text assumes that the viewers will know that the man is asking for the things written on his piece of cardboard.
10. What overall impression does the visual text create in you?
It makes meuncomfortable and little sad and guilty.
11. What positive or negative feelings about individuals, scenes, or ideas does the visual intend to evoke in viewers?
It evokes a certain sense of guilt, but also awareness. It reminds us that homeless people are also worthy human beings who appreciate smiles.
12. What argumentative purpose does the visual text convey? What is it designed toconvey?
It goes against a pre conception that some people may have of those who ask for money on the street. People sometimes think of homeless people as lazy, thinking that all that they want is money. While they need money, sometimes a smile will brighten their day and remind them of their human dignity. The sign says penny OR a smile, not both.
13. What cultural values does the visualevoke? The good life? Love and harmony? Sex appeal? Youth? Adventure>? Does the visual reinforce these values or question them? What does the visual do to strengthen the argument?
It evokes the opposite of the good life, it shows those left out of what America believes to be “the good life” This man probably doesn’t own his own house, wear brand names, or have an impressive office with his nameon the door. It makes us question life in general and why inequality exists. The visual is arguing that the man is just as human as the people walking past him on the sidewalk.
14. What emotions does the visual evoke?
Sadness, guilt, and the desire to help and understand
15. How is the visual text composed? What is your eye drawn to first? Why?
It is black permanent marker against arough cardboard background. It is three words, but it stands out agains the background.
16. What’s in the foreground? In the background? What’s in or out of focus? What’s moving? What placed high and low? Left and right, center? What effect do these placements have on the message?
The background is a busy city street. People can be seen walking past the buildings. An illuminated...