"Daisy"

While scare tactics had been used in political campaigns throughout history, the intensity of this ad in particular caused many critics to scratch their heads in wonder.  If Lyndon B. Johnson wished to state his national defense plan, he could have simply stated that he was willing to do anything to protect all citizens; especially those as young as the child portrayed here.  However, he chose to attempt to trick American citizens into believing that if they were not diligent in voting for him in the November election, a slippery slope of occurrences would begin, and American children would be endangered.

Knowing his audience, LBJ was aware that this scare tactic would work, as no one wishes for their children to be put in the realm of danger.  His use of pathos allowed this commercial to work.  While it would likely be neither proper nor practical in the modern election, it is a great example of how politicians are able to manipulate their audiences.  Without the proper knowledge and use of rhetorical appeals, politicians would not be able to climb the corporate ladder as well as they do.  The analysis skills they have gained are inspirational to those who wish to learn how to rhetorically analyze pieces of literature.  Johnson’s careful combination of rhetorical appeals as well as visual rhetoric allowed his crazy commercial to influence many voters.

Thankfully, more people are now able to recognize many of the superfluous tactics which politicians use, and are able to dodge the manipulative tactics.  While politicians are still able to talk their audience into believing anything they say, most listen more intently to what is being said.

"The American Patriot"

This political cartoon, entitled, “The American Patriot,” takes the hilarity of the American transformation to a next level.  All are aware that as time has passed, Americans, as well as most other countrymen, have become lazier than their earlier counterparts.  This cartoon uses rhetorical devices such as an allusion to Patrick Henry, the visual difference of the physical make up between the two characters, as well as the diction used in both speech bubbles.  All of these things work together to form an argument concerning the way our attitudes as Americans have changed within the last few decades.  The ever-changing morale we view in ourselves and others concerns many of us from time to time, and this political cartoon addresses the growing fear that we will one day be nothing as a country.

I have chosen this cartoon specifically for its appeal to each persuasive strategy; logos, ethos, and pathos.  Each strategy works together to form a properly put together argument concerning the way Americans react to governmental issues today.  As a whole, this cartoon properly addresses each strategy and forms a proper argument.  The argument is indeed effective, as it addresses not only the change of direction America has brought upon itself governmentally, but also socially.  The cartoon brings forth things such as weight gain and indecisive reasoning to put forth the argument that if things do not change soon, America will be no more.

My hope is that through a more careful observation of this cartoon as well as a biographical study of its author, I will be able to properly assess the argumentative structure of this rhetorical vision.