Understanding Visual Rhetoric

Author: Jenae Cohn

• Part of "Writing Spaces: Readings on Writing, Volume 3"
• Licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)

Overview

• Visuals significantly impact our understanding of rhetorical situations.
• Writing classes often overlook the role of visuals, yet they are crucial in understanding multimodal texts.
• Visual rhetoric can include everyday images like food pictures on social media, which can persuade viewers.
• Provides descriptive terms for analyzing visuals.

Introduction to Visual Rhetoric

• Example: Online food images can influence restaurant choices by their appeal.
• Visual rhetoric involves any communicative moment where visuals make meaning or convey information.
• Writing increasingly includes visuals beyond traditional text, especially online.
• Carolyn Handa: Rhetoric isn't limited to words; visuals scaffold and clarify ideas.
• Visual rhetoric is practical, relevant, and functional, unlike purely aesthetic art.

Importance of Visuals

• Visuals impact decision-making, convey concepts, and provide important information.
• Example: A restaurant menu like Oren's Hummus uses visual design for clarity and emphasis.
• Document design influences decisions and understanding.

Elements of Visual Design

Line

• Divides and organizes visual content.

Color

• Evokes emotions and highlights importance. Cultural associations can vary.

Shape

• Basic shapes like circles, squares, and triangles; cultural significance.

Size

• Larger elements are often more important.

Space

• Neutral space helps distinguish elements.

Value

• Lightness/darkness of elements creates hierarchy.

Texture

• Implies tactile sensations and differentiates elements.

Concluding Thoughts

• Recognizing visuals enhances communication strategy comprehension.
• Reading helps writing; viewing helps design.
• Consider accessibility for all audiences, including visual impairments.
• Captions and alt-text can make visuals comprehensible to all.

Works Cited

• References multiple scholars and texts on visual rhetoric.

Teacher Resources

Overview and Teaching Strategies

• Introduces visual rhetoric in composition courses.
• Focuses on analysis, not creating visuals.
• Encourages cultural context understanding.

Questions and Activities

• Designed to engage students with visual rhetoric through real-world examples and exercises.
• Activities include "Three Keywords", "Extreme Makeover: Document Edition", "Comparing Data Visualizations", and "Caption Contest".
• Emphasize the impact of visuals and the role of captions in accessibility.