Humor and Visual Arguments

Summary of Chapter 13 and 14 from Everything’s An Argument

Understanding Humor in Arguments

Often works best when dealing with ordinary life and controversial topics.

“Humor, especially satire, is a knifes edge that had better cut precisely or not at all.”

Darker side of humor› Can make people feel superior to its

targets of ridicule› Bullies and cliques often use humor to

torment their innocent victims

Understanding Humor in Arguments

Confident speakers may make fun of themselves seeming clever yet aware of their own limitations

Make your audience laugh› Serious political begin with jokes- puts

listeners at ease and helps them identify with the speaker

Kinds of Humor

Many kinds Satire

› Popular among college students› The Simpsons, South Park, Family Guy, S.N.L.› Often shifts perspective urging a look at a

situation in a new way Parody

› Taking something familiar and turns it into something new

› Works best when audiences make connection

Can use Humor in Arguments to:

Point out flaws in policy, proposal, or other kinds of argument

Suggest policy of your own Put people in a favorable frame of mind Acknowledge weaknesses or deflect

criticism Satirize or parody a position or point of

view

Visual Arguments

Very powerful› Engrave pictures in your mind

Visual Literacy› Being able to consider a presentation and

how its visual elements affect the way you perceive the information

Analyzing Visual Arguments

Ask› Who is the creator, what is his/her attitude toward

the image› What media is being used and what role does it play› What does the visual text assume about its viewers› How does the text make you feel› What purpose does the text convey› What is “highlighted” or catchy› What colors are used› How are you direct to move within arguments› Is anything repeated

Visual arguments based on character

Images that reinforce authority and credibility

How does your design reflect your character?› Fonts style and size used

Follow required design convention› Shows competence

Visual Arguments based on Facts

Organize information visually› Similar heading usually related› Large font should be more important then

lesser size font Convey data efficiently

› Charts, maps, diagrams Follow profession guidelines Check for copyrighted material

Visual Arguments Based on Emotion

Very powerful› pictures -> emotions -> actions

Color matters› Red dress, blue lights› Common sense principles