Visual Argumentation

     Argumentation is all around us. We are bombarded nonstop by the media's visual arguments everyday in the form of television, magazines, newspapers, music, the internet, and even on billboards. Their goal is usually to either to get you to buy their products or attempt to sway your stance on an issue. They accomplish this by portraying the people in their ads as stylish and successful by using their products or by presenting jaw dropping pictures and statistics if they are trying to sway an individuals opinion on an issue. A good example of visual argumentation are some of those beer commercials that they always air nonstop during football on Sundays. The ads usually showcase a group of young and healthy friends relaxing and having a good time while drinking a few beers. These ads are misleading as the companies are trying to get you to believe that if you drink their beer you will always have a good time and be surrounded by a plethora of friends, which we know doesn't happen. To try and differ your opinion on an issue, a company may show some shocking facts that really make you question you stance on a subject. For example, an ad against cigarettes might display a fact such as "around 100,000 kids start smoking a day worldwide". That fact is certainly one that would open your eyes!



     The picture shown at the top of this page is an example of visual argumentation at it's finest, that being in the form of a bumper sticker. We all see quite a few of these everyday, but do we stop and think about the point that they are trying to get across? Whether it is a bumper stick about Obama, one about Darwin and evolution, or one similar to the one posted above above that pokes fun at global warming, they are all displaying a visual argument. This bumper sticker posted above pokes fun at the existence of global warming and is essentially saying its just as real as a unicorn. While each individual has their own stance on this issue, its quite clear what side the creator of the sticker is on and what message they are trying to get out to the public. Next time your out on the road pay attention to the ads, bumper stickers, and billboards that you see and think about the message that each is trying to get across.

Points to a Successful Argument

     What exactly is an argument? Most people seem to associate the word argument with two people shouting at each other, but there is more to an argument that just that. Argumentation is all around us in everyday life, even if we don't always notice it. A few examples constitute of: public debate, negotiation, internal argument, and even visual argument in the forms of bumper stickers, posters, etc. Arguments are much more than just a simple shouting match!

     According to Perspectives on Argument, a good argument should contain most, if not all, of the following: an issue, an arguer, an audience, common ground, a forum, and audience outcomes. I believe the 2 most important factors are the issue and the common ground between the two opposing sides. The issue is the most important part of an argument, because without an issue there wouldn't be anything to argue about in the first place! A common ground for the two differing sides also plays a huge role in an argument as well. It gives both parties an area of the subject matter to hone in on, something that they both could relate to. Without a common ground, arguments usually tend to instead turn into fights with nothing being resolved as a result of that.

     Although I am not one for arguing much myself, a good argument can certainly grab my attention. A good example of this would be the Presidential debates of the 2008 elections. I was flipping through the channels trying to find something to watch and stumbled upon the debate and was quickly drawn in.  While at the time I certainly didn't know a great deal about politics, my attention was certainly captured as both John McCain and Barack Obama exclaimed good points to the issues they were discussing. Their argument was a success as it produced a change in the audience, me, and made me want to explore further into politics.

      Arguments aren't just a verbal fight, they are much more than that. The two opposing sides are trying to sway the other to share their same point of view. This needs to be done however in a respectful manner. While one side doesn't agree with the other it doesn't mean that they are wrong or that their ideas are worthless, you need to be respectful to their point of view, even if you don't agree with it. The arguers both need to have an open mind to attempt to see the other side of the issue so that a compromise might be in near future.