Rhetoric is described as using language effectively and persuasively to convince or influence an audience. While rhetoric is almost always used in written or spoken form, the use of images (i.e., visual rhetoric) can be extremely persuasive as well. Visual rhetoric refers to how an audience interprets and responds to what they see with their eyes. In fact, visual rhetoric allows an audience to instantly connect with their emotional mind long before the rational side kicks in.
One of the best examples of visual rhetoric were the propaganda war posters made during WWI. Propaganda is simply a form of persuasion used to change people’s minds. Not only can propaganda be found almost everywhere, it can be good and it can be bad. At a time when television …show more content…
Kitchener’s war poster makes a strong case for all three. For example, when one looks at the war poster, they immediately recognize Kitchener; a well-known British war hero serving as Britain’s Secretary of War. In fact, his image alone lends sufficient credibility (i.e., ethos) to the war poster. Consequently, Kitchener is able to persuade millions of men to join with him in the war effort. Additionally, because Kitchener’s war poster is released during a time of chaos, the message, “Your Country Needs YOU” is clear: join the war effort (i.e., logos). Thus, Britain maintains its power and stability due to the vast number of men signing up. Finally, since the ultimate goal of the war poster is to illicit troops, the poster has to appeal to the viewers emotions (i.e., pathos). As mentioned earlier, Kitchener is seen as making a personal plea, and not to just anyone. Kitchener is appealing to YOU (the viewer) personally and on an emotional level. The technique is a clever one, since the impact of this personal appeal, which is seen over and over, is
One of the best examples of visual rhetoric were the propaganda war posters made during WWI. Propaganda is simply a form of persuasion used to change people’s minds. Not only can propaganda be found almost everywhere, it can be good and it can be bad. At a time when television …show more content…
Kitchener’s war poster makes a strong case for all three. For example, when one looks at the war poster, they immediately recognize Kitchener; a well-known British war hero serving as Britain’s Secretary of War. In fact, his image alone lends sufficient credibility (i.e., ethos) to the war poster. Consequently, Kitchener is able to persuade millions of men to join with him in the war effort. Additionally, because Kitchener’s war poster is released during a time of chaos, the message, “Your Country Needs YOU” is clear: join the war effort (i.e., logos). Thus, Britain maintains its power and stability due to the vast number of men signing up. Finally, since the ultimate goal of the war poster is to illicit troops, the poster has to appeal to the viewers emotions (i.e., pathos). As mentioned earlier, Kitchener is seen as making a personal plea, and not to just anyone. Kitchener is appealing to YOU (the viewer) personally and on an emotional level. The technique is a clever one, since the impact of this personal appeal, which is seen over and over, is