Visual Rhetoric

        Here is a piece of static rhetoric that relates to my research topic about "teaching to the test." It is a cartoon that represents how teachers are only allowed to teach students material that is going to be on the standardized tests at the end of the year, and if they want to learn about other things that aren't on the test, teachers don't have time to discuss it. I don't think it would be as effective in getting its point across if it were any other kind of static image, just because pictures and words are needed in order for the viewer to understand the message being conveyed.

       The image is in black and what instead of color to show that the issue of standardized testing is nothing to be happy or excited about, but instead, a dark, negative topic and problem that needs to be solved. The intended audience for this cartoon is anyone affected by standardized test: students, teachers, parents, and others who are apart of the school system. Its purpose is to teach the audience about "teaching to the test," and let them know what it's all about, with a intent to hopefully warn and persuade them that something must be done in order to give students a better education.

       The image is presented in a way that is meant for you to take time and analyze it, instead of taking a quick glance. It is presented in this way because the presenter wants the audience to treat this as a serious matter. In perspective, the image is a pretty wide range of the classroom, displaying the teacher and students. The students don't appear to be happy, and neither does the teacher. With all of the elements mentioned above, this image creates a serious and negative effect on the audience, conveying a message in hopes of persuading the audience to treat this as a serious matter and act upon it.

What effect does this image have on you as a viewer? Does it do a good job of conveying its message?