Visual Rhetoric Reading & Writing. Text (right page): Immediately after Hurricane Katrina hit, I joined others from my chapter and headed for the Gulf

Visual RhetoricReading & Writing

Text (right page): Immediately after Hurricane Katrina hit, I joined others from my chapter and headed for the Gulf Coast. We delivered food and water, provided shelter and even counseling.

At its core the Red Cross is a network of local chapters supported by their communities, prepared to respond to local, national, and even international needs. Sometimes that means helping one victim of a house fire, other times that means helping hundreds of thousands of disaster victims.

I HOPE you will volunteer your time and donate money to your local Red Cross chapter-- so we can be there for another chapter.

Red Cross Advertisement

Viewer’s ResponseOur eyes are first drawn to the center of the ad because it is placed directly in the center of the page, and because it includes color (in contrast to the all gray background). Next, we notice the American Red Cross logo, which is easily recognizable.

Next, we look at the photo images on the page, and to the title of the ad which reads: “This chapter took me to the Gulf Coast”

Finally, if we are interested, we will read through the text of the advertisement.



Questions1. What is the thesis of this advertisement? What is it trying to

convey? 2. Why do you feel the American Red Cross chose these particular

images for the advertisement?3. How is the word “chapter” integrated throughout the

advertisement?4. Does the advertisement urge readers towards action? How?

Mercury Milan Advertisement

Top Text: INSPIRED BY HER STYLISH NEW MERCURY MILAN, Tina did what anyone else in her shoes would do-- buy new ones.

Bottom Text: Introducing the all new 2006 Mercury Milan. Milan’s eye-catching style and two-tone leather seats gave Tina ample reason to add to her shoe collection; not that Tina ever needed any reasons. The big question now is whether her closet will hold as much as Milan’s trunk.


convey? 2. Why do you feel Mercury chose these particular images for the

advertisement? What does the model’s race tell you about the ad and who the ad targets?

3. How does the text appeal to the types of people who read Glamour magazine?

4. By looking at the images, what kind of lifestyle does the woman featured in the ad lead? How can you tell?

Mercury Milan Advertisement

Top Text: What would you do without the Internet, video games, and text messaging?

Bottom Text: The 273-hp, 8-passenger Sequoia is built to take your family to faraway places you’ve only seen online. And with its exclusive Star Safety System, the Sequoia works hard to give you peace of mind, no matter how many bars you’re getting on your cell phone. Toyota.com

Toyota Sequoia Advertisement

Toyota Sequoia Advertisement


convey? 2. What type of people read Time magazine? What kind of jobs do

they have, how much money do they make, what do they value?3. Why do you feel Toyota chose these particular images for the

advertisement? How does the image appeal to the desires of the Time reader?

4. How does the text appeal to the types of people who read Time magazine?

Skin Cancer Foundation Advertisement

Bottom Text: Melanoma kills more young women than any other cancer. Protect yourself. Sunproof America!


Viewer’s ResponseOur eyes are first drawn to the main image of the ad, which features the attractive caucasian woman in a bikini, soaking up the sun. She could represent any female beachgoer on a sunny weekend afternoon.

After we notice her, our eyes immediately move upward towards the six people standing over her (perhaps because of the contrast in color). We then notice that these people are funeral goers, mourning the loss of the woman pictured in the ad. They hold roses, and display somber expressions on their faces-- almost as if they are peering into her grave, and are ready to throw the flowers on top of her casket as it is lowered into the ground.


Questions:1. Many advertisements use shock tactics to change our behaviors.

What makes this advertisement so shocking?2. What type of magazine would you expect to find this

advertisement in? 3. Women are more likely than men to utilize sunscreen. In groups,

try to create a print advertisement that will persuade men to utilize sunscreen. Your idea doesn’t need to incorporate shocking images. Brainstorm ideas for a sunscreen advertisement for men-- create a rough sketch design for your advertisement, and present it to the class.

Documents

Visual Rhetoric Reading & Writing. Text (right page): Immediately after Hurricane Katrina hit, I joined others from my chapter and headed for the Gulf