Chapter 14-Everything's an Argument

Chapter 14 in Everything's an Argument is all about the power, push and pull of visual arguments in society for many years. They are significant and essential to our culture and establishing arguments for different standpoints. These advertisements have the power to sway people in one direction or another by the use of pathos, logos and ethos. The way the advertisement is presented, even by the tweak of coloring and positioning can make a substantial difference in the effect it has on an audience. In addition, the ad is usually designed with a particular audience in mind, which determines how they will present it. Some advertisements also display data in order to back up their claims and to portray a more professional demeanor.
In this chapter, I found most interesting the section about "how design reflects character." This section explains how something as simple as the type font can morph or convey the visual in a certain way. It is explained how when the text is larger, the advertisement appears to be yelling and may be overbearing, unless the ad calls for attention to the larger text. Relating to this, smaller text can be used to conceal information that does not need to be brought to attention. As an example of this, the chapter talks about how Michael Phelps's reputation was ruined by ethos in an advertisement showing him smoking a joint on a Wheatie's box, following his marijuana scandal. To elaborate on this, the advertisements are created in just a way to show the argument in the best (or least) possible way.

Also, for writing project one, I am probably going to do something with PETA's anti-fur ads. They have a lot of celebrities who pose nude for their advertisements against wearing animal fur. By using somebody of a credible standpoint, PETA attracts more viewers and listeners. This will include the arguments against animal cruelty. It also uses sexual aspects to draw the viewers in.