When analyzing visuals for a rhetorical effect, consider the following areas:

Rhetorical situation:

• Who is the audience and what is the purpose behind the visual and the creator?

• Is the audience left leaning (liberal) or right leaning (conservative)?

• How does the media type influence the viewer’s interpretation?

• Does the specific media creator influence the way the viewer sees the image?

• The XXX, an online and print newspaper, featured …. The XXX, an online and print newspaper, geared toward a ____ audience….

Emphasis:

• What is emphasized? Is there a focal point that draws your eyes in?

• Is there a balance or harmonious relationship or a clear juxtaposition of contrasting images for an effect?

• How is the composition of the image structured?

• Where are the images organized such as in the foreground, in the background, to the left, to the center, to the right, etc.?

• Is there an interesting perspective or camera angle? Is there a clear focal point?

• Are some images blurred while others are in sharper focus?

• Stems: The image of _____ is emphasized as a central focal point…. The creator illustrates harmony and balance through ….. The creator shows a contrasting image of _____ in order to _____. The perspective suggests that _______.

• Do you need help describing the camera angles? Check out https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/types-of-camera-shot-angles-in-film/.

Lighting & Color:

• What colors and lighting do you see?

• Do the colors or lighting suggest a specific connotation or even a symbolic idea?

• Do the colors suggest an attitude or tone of the creator?

• Do the warm colors connote warmth for instance?

• The ___ colors of the ___ signify ____. The viewer can infer that the colors connote a feeling of _____ The colors symbolize _____

Appeals:

• Does the creator evoke emotions in the reader with positive or negative feelings?

• Does the creator evoke logic in the viewer through making a comparison or showing an effect to something?

• Does the creator create credibility about the topic through the images (ethos)?

• Sentence stems: The creator evokes a feeling of _____ through _____. The creator appeals to the viewer’s sense of logic through _____. The creator establishes credibility and trust through ______.

Theme:

• Is there a specific message that is being conveyed about humanity, society, or culture? What details construct an argument for the viewer?

• Are certain people represented in a certain way to convey a message? Are certain objects portrayed in a certain way to convey a message?

• How does this image relate to the global issue that you selected?

• Sentence Stems: The photograph portrays the message that ______. The visual suggests that _______.

Effect:

• Overall, what was effective about the image in conveying the argument? End your analysis with your conclusions.

• The creator effectively conveys a message of _____ through ____, _____, and ______.

Examples

• Analyzing media images