jake swanson

Visual enthymemes are basically arguments that are made through images. These arguments are not always complete. For instance they may leave out one of the arguments premises and let you as the audience member fill it in. In this way they force you to make their own argument complete which can be a very persuasive mode of argumentation.

Enthymemes are a clever way of making a point because by leaving out a premise the audience comes to the argument on their own making them more likely to change their opinions in the enthymemes favor. Now there are five types of enthymemes that we discussed in class. These are visual demonstrations, metaphors, symbols, archetypes and visual flags.

Visual demonstrations are basically enthymemes that have their own story like PETA's image of a mother holding a butchers knife with a bloody mangled chicken in her arms. This says that eating meat is like slaughtering animals.

Visual metaphors are just metaphors that are constructed and shown through imagery. Like the shotgun made of cigarettes that we looked at in class

Visual flags are essentially attention getters in images. These are typically shock based or sexy in nature. This may draw you in and then you are left to determine the argument made.

Visual symbols are basically when an image creates a symbolic argument. This relies upon a common public perception. Obama firing a gun was a visual symbol. It seemed to just be a picture but an argument was made. The arguement however is understood if context is easily found.

Visual archetypes are visual comparisons between a situation and a well known story. This was explained through the beauty and the beast picture from class where Palin was the beauty and McCain the beast.

I find enthymemes to be incredibly persuasive myself. They are difficult to argue against as they leave part of its construction to you. Today enthymemes are everywhere in the world of advertising. They are especially popular online. They are a simple and efficient form of communication