Visual arguments

Kristina Serge
Persuasive Writing
Diane Varner
November 25th, 2008

Visuals are single representations of problems, issues, moments, history, celebrations, and everything else. They can be used to manipulate, as with propaganda, or sway, as with political cartoons. They are all used to create a larger image in the viewer’s head that stirs up powerful emotions. These emotions are connected to experiences the viewer has had or will have. Each individual picture or video has a point. The point is made with an argument. Visual arguments can be based on several things. Two of which are definitional arguments and resemblance arguments. Only by conjuring up a response does the visual argument work. Without a relatable emotion, experience, or importance the argument will not be strong enough.

This picture shows a person, either a man or a woman, holding the rainbow flag. Based on past experiences, the viewer might relate the rainbow flag to its culturally significant group. This group represents gay rights and gay pride. But, to others, the flag may mean peace because of its use by another group called PACE. It also stands for acceptance of diversity because of unity of colors. By understanding the context in which the photo was found, one would know that it is from a gay rights parade, therefore probably standing for homosexual pride groups.
Ellen begins by stating her personal beliefs and then tries to persuade Senator McCain to agree with her. She believes that marriage should be for everyone. She uses precedent arguments by relating the discrimination that is happening now to the discrimination that women and blacks faced when trying to get the right to vote. When describing how homosexuals can enter a legal contract but not a marriage contract, Degeneres uses the analogy of “Well, you can’t sit there, but you can sit there.” McCain uses a definitional argument about how marriage is a contract and that gay Americans can enter into a contract together that allows many of the same privileges, it’s just not the same contract as marriage. In the video, Ellen’s argument is stronger, has more emotion, and uses relevant facts. Clearly, this is the argument that makes more sense and is stronger than the other.
My updated graphic is a picture with the background whited-out so the only things remaining from the original are the people and the flag. From there, I wanted to relate this picture to America, because the original picture could have been from anywhere in the world. I added an American flag to show where the gay rights parade was and to conjure some thought in the viewer of why they were marching there in the first place. The end image should create an emotion of sympathy and pride. Sympathy towards the fight for gay rights and pride because by being a part of a democracy, American people have the chance to change the country, unlike many other nations in the world.