This document provides guidance on how to critically analyze visual texts. It recommends understanding the overall point and how the message is conveyed, as well as evaluating any persuasive methods used. Specific techniques to look for include logical, ethical and emotional appeals. Comprehension clues from images like size, distance, and relationship to background can provide insight, as can use of empty space, color, and depiction of people.

1. READING VISUAL TEXTS

2. USE A CRITICAL EYE
• Understand the point
being made
• Understand how the
message is conveyed
• Evaluate the persuasive
methods

3. LOOK FOR PERSUASIVE APPEALS
•Logos
•Ethos
•Pathos

4. USE COMPREHENSION CLUES
• Images
• Distance between images
• Size of images
• Relationship between images and
background
• Use of empty space
• Use of color and shading
• Activities, gestures, facial expressions,
body language, dress, etc. of people

5. WORKS CITED
• Kirszner, Laurie G. and Stephen R. Mandell. Practical Argument, 2nd ed. New York:
Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2014.