Hannah Schepler

ENC 3315
Lindee Owens
10/15/14
Constraints of Media
Visual rhetoric is a powerful tool that can be used to enhance textual rhetoric or
convey its own meaning quickly and efficiently. The science to visual rhetoric is vast;
and understanding the parts of rhetoric is important. The audience is perhaps the most
important factor in the use of visual rhetoric; because all visuals are enthymemic they
require a lot from the audience in order for a message to be received. Visuals also come
with constraints that may help or hinder the message. Some constraints are unique to a
genre or a specific situation within the context of the visual.
Political cartoons are a common example of visual rhetoric. The cartoons
primarily use humor to address current, and some times challenging events. This cartoon,
Americans concern over Ebola, by Jack Ohman, published in The Sacramento Bee is a

good example of this genre. Some negative constraints within the genre of political
cartoons are that they are typically only one frame. The illustrator only has one shot
to get their point across. Another constraint within the political cartoon genre is
that, because there is typically one frame and no room for a build, the audience must
already have an understanding of the subject matter. For example, Ohmans
audience must have a functioning understanding of what Ebola is be able to
understand the cartoon. The political cartoon also has its many positive constraints
too.

The genre of political cartoons often produces simple artwork that is easy to

recognize. The illustrator does not have to worry about making refined art; the
point is not the art, the point is the message. The cartoon is a comment on a current
event, it does not inform on an event. The cartoonist does not hope to broaden
knowledge on the topic, only explore aspects of it. Because the cartoon is a
comment on a current event, the illustrator can take liberties with the subject
matter. Adding humor or a shock value to the topic is one of the most common
strengths of the political cartoon. By using humor, or sometimes pointing out the
obvious, the illustrator puts a new perspective on an event that continues the topic.

Another genre that relies heavily on its visuals is the graphic novel. Not

completely unlike the political cartoon, the visual aspect of the novel is what makes
it unique. And like political cartoons, the graphic novel also has its negative and
positive constraints within its genre. One of the negative constrains of the genre is
its association with youth. Over the years the graphic novel has grown and reaches
an audience far beyond youths. However, the association with youths and young
adults with keep the genre from reaching a broader audience. Because the genre

is a niche market, it is not very accessible to everyone, one would have to have some
knowledge of where to find the novels. However, the novels movement online has
alleviated this constraint, while one still needs to know where to go to find them, the
search is easier online.

A positive aspect of the graphic novel is that its medium is enhanced online.

Online graphic novels sometimes incorporate movement into the stories that make
them more engaging. Also, because the graphic novel is available online they are
easier to access and are more discoverable. With a simple search in Google for,
online graphic novel, several examples turned up, including, The Prisoner: an
online graphic novel. Graphic novels do not rely heavily on text, instead letting the
graphic aspect of the novel take over. The novels are fairly easy to read, and has a
simplicity and text that is balanced by the complexity and detail of the graphic.

Works Cited
Ohman, Jack. Americans Concern over Ebola. The Sacramento Bee. N.p., n.d. Web.

14 Oct. 2014

The Prisoner: An Online Graphic Novel. AMC. N.p, n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2014.