{"id":257,"date":"2011-11-30T16:43:09","date_gmt":"2011-11-30T16:43:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/transfer.writingcommons.org\/2011\/11\/30\/breaking-down-an-image\/"},"modified":"2022-09-20T10:54:08","modified_gmt":"2022-09-20T09:54:08","slug":"breaking-down-an-image","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/writingcommons.org\/article\/breaking-down-an-image\/","title":{"rendered":"Breaking Down an Image"},"content":{"rendered":"

We come across many images on a daily basis, but we rarely stop to think about what those images mean or about how they persuade us. Yet, images have power, which is why we need to understand how to analyze them. When you\u2019re analyzing an image to understand the message it portrays, this is called\u00a0visual rhetoric<\/em>.\u00a0Visual rhetoric is a means of communication that uses images to create meaning or to make an argument<\/em>.<\/p>\n

The first thing to consider when breaking down, or analyzing, an image is the\u00a0rhetorical situation<\/em>: the\u00a0audience<\/em>,\u00a0context<\/em>, and\u00a0purpose<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Each of these elements is essential in order to understand the message an image portrays. It is important to remember that you can analyze all different types of images, including advertisements, Public Service Announcements (PSAs), websites, paintings, photographs, and more. Here, we will look at an advertisement:<\/p>\n

\"Screen<\/p>\n

Belviso, Luciano, “Day 34” June 11, 2011 via Flickr. Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 2.0)<\/p>\n

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