Model
Digital Document
Publisher
Florida Atlantic University
Description
This thesis project seeks to answer the question of how visual rhetoric put forward
in social media content by pro-life and pro-choice organizations may persuade their
audiences’ perspective on abortion. Using Sonja Foss’s guidelines for analysis of visual
rhetoric, I analyze 24 selected examples of Facebook content posted by two pro-life
organizations (Human Coalition and Feminists for Life) and two pro-choice organizations
(Planned Parenthood Action and NARAL Pro-Choice America) in 2017.
My analysis found that the visual rhetoric posted by both organizations on social
media can and does function as a form of visual metonymy. Because of this, these visual
strategies can stand in for more complex arguments in dramatic ways.
in social media content by pro-life and pro-choice organizations may persuade their
audiences’ perspective on abortion. Using Sonja Foss’s guidelines for analysis of visual
rhetoric, I analyze 24 selected examples of Facebook content posted by two pro-life
organizations (Human Coalition and Feminists for Life) and two pro-choice organizations
(Planned Parenthood Action and NARAL Pro-Choice America) in 2017.
My analysis found that the visual rhetoric posted by both organizations on social
media can and does function as a form of visual metonymy. Because of this, these visual
strategies can stand in for more complex arguments in dramatic ways.
Member of