Week 3 - Introduction to Visual Theory

Question 1

Visual studies

Answer 1

distinct subfield of literary theory that interprets the meaning and context of images, signs and symbols in the world of humans.

Question 2

rhetoric

Answer 2

1) the art of (seeing the available means of) persuasion;
2) the theory, practice, analysis, and study of persuasive communication and discourse.
“Thank You For Arguing” (book)

-strategic language, both oral and written, used to influence or persuade individuals to act in a certain manner

3 Types of Persuasive Speech:
- Forensic (judicial) rhetoric - establishes facts about the past
- epideictic (demonstrative) rhetoric - makes proclamation about present situation
- deliberative (symboletukon) rhetoric; focus on future

3 Persuasive Appeals:
- Ethos; how you convince audience of your credibility
- Logos; use of logic and reason, structure and content of speech
- Pathos; appeal to emotion

-masterful rhetoric is what makes it (stories) persuasive, compelling, and memorable.

Question 3

Visual Rhetoric

Answer 3

• study of visual imagery within the discipline of rhetoric

The Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL), for example, defines visual rhetoric as:

-Use of images as argument
-Arrangement of elements on a page
-Use of typography (fonts, etc.)
-Analysis of existing images and visuals

-references how we as humans are persuaded by the visual cues we receive on a daily basis

• used in Marketing and advertising, Political campaigns and marketing, Company logos, Business communications
  , Fundraising campaigns
  , Art and in the media, Social media and photography filters, Religious pamphlets

Question 4

visual literacy

Answer 4

–that is, the ability to analyze, make sense, and interpret visual symbols–is part of developing overall literacy

Question 5

Visual theory

Answer 5

was a distinct field of scholarship that emerged in the twentieth century to account for the interpretive and symbolic elements of visual signs and symbols