Responding Critically to Visual Arguments

As you learned in Chapter 2, a critical response analyzes the ideas in a text and expresses your reactions to them. When you respond in writing to a visual argument, you rely on your highlighting and annotations to help you understand the writer’s ideas and see how the words and images work together to make a particular point.

As you prepare to write a critical response to a visual argument, keep in mind the questions in the following checklist.

CHECKLIST

Questions for Responding to Visual Arguments

  • In what source did the visual appear? What is the target audience for this source?

  • For what kind of audience was the visual created? Hostile? Friendly? Neutral?

  • For what purpose was the visual created?

  • Who (or what organization) created the visual? What do you know about the background and goals of this person or group?

  • What issue is the visual addressing?

  • What position does the visual take on this issue? How can you tell? Do you agree with this position?

  • Does the visual include words? If so, are they necessary? What points do they make? Does the visual need more—or different—written text?

  • Does the visual seem to be a refutation—that is, an argument against a particular position?

  • Is the visual effective? Attractive? Interesting? Clear? Convincing?

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When you write a critical response, begin by identifying the source and purpose of the visual. Then, state your reaction to the visual, and examine its elements one at a time, considering how effective each is and how well the various elements work together to create a convincing visual argument. End with a strong concluding statement that summarizes your reaction.