VISUAL RHETORIC
By: Jewlee SneedPicture title: Red ShoesOrganization: Amnesty InternationalDate Published: March 2008
BACKGROUND
Founded in 1961, Amnesty International is a global movement that has the support of over 150 countries. The cause is to stop the abuse of human rights. The rights that all humans deserve is defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
WHAT DO YOU SEE?
A small child in an adult woman’s
heels.
A street corner with car lights
and a faint man walking by.
WHAT IS TRYING TO BE PORTRAYED?
The legs are of a small child. She’s standing on street corning in heels
that are made for a much older woman. I think that the young girl is in child
prostitution. The advertisement is against
child prostitution because Amnesty International is for
human rights and this girl is way to young to decide
that she wants to sell herself and is probably a
slave.
WHO IS THE AUDIENCE?
The audience can really be anyone.
Everyone knows that forcing a child to
preform actions that should be reserved for someone much older
is wrong. The advertisement is for anyone who will help the campaign against
child prostitution.
WHAT IS MISS IN G FR OM THE PHOTO ?
The girls body is the most obvious thing
that is missing. This is probably to generalize what types of girls are being forced. Where she is located is also
unknown. This is probably to also show
that this problem is not localized to one place; that is could happen
almost anywhere.
HOW DOES CROPPING OUT THE UNFITTED HEELS
CHANGE THE PICTURE?If the heels look as if they fit the girl wearing them, then the audience does not infer that it is a child. This would just be an advertisement against prostitution.
WHAT AR E THE PR O S & CO NS O F THIS AD?
This ad shows that child
prostitution is still a problem that we must
face.
It also evokes a need to help the
young girl placed in this
situation.
The advertisement is
not very clear. Young girls who
are at risk of being forced into this situation are
not likely to understand the purpose, so it
does not serve as a very good
warning.
Pros: Cons:
JUXTAPOSITIONThe juxtaposition
in the advertisement is
the small feet and legs of the child inside of the big
heels. This points out how much
older she should be to be ‘in those
shoes’.
PATHOSHow does this picture make you feel?
This picture gives me a feeling of despair for the girls that need our help. It also makes me happy that someone is addressing the problem so that it is hopefully fixed.
ETHOSWhy is the creator of this advertisement a credible source to listen to?
Amnesty International has been a reliable organization for over 50 years. They have helped a lot of people. The logo for Amnesty is also located in the top right corner.
LOGOSWhat is the logical appeal?Obviously, sex is reserved for those who willingly choose to do it. A child is not mature enough to make the decision whether she is ready to become sexually active or not. This audience knows all of this and the ad, with that information, shows the evil of forcing a child into prostitution. Also, prostitution is illegal at any age in America, so that just adds to how unacceptable it is.
WORKS CITED
• Amnesty International. “Red shoes.” Learn about human rights. Amnesty International. March 2008. Web. 15 November 2011.• Amnesty International. “About Amnesty
International.” Who We Are. n.d. Web. 15 November 2011.