Visual Rhetoric

            Visual rhetoric is a part of our everyday lives. Whether we know it or not, the way we dress is a way in which we represent ourselves. Rhetoric in writing is the “language designed to have a persuasive or impressive effect on its audience”. Just like writing, visual rhetoric through the way we dress has an “impressive effect on its audience”. No matter what we are wearing, people around us (our audience) will gather information and interpret what we are like. Are you tidy, organized, artistic, creative, sporty? Having knowledge of visual rhetoric and knowing what we are saying through our clothes and appearance is important. For instance, if you were to go to your brother or sister’s wedding, you would not just show up in an old stained t-shirt and ripped up jeans. That sounds like a nightmare! Why? Because the way you present yourself is important. Proper dress shows respect to who you are with and says a lot about who you are as a person.

            There are all sorts of different clothing for a reason. Dresses, suites and tuxes are for special occasions when it is important to impress who you are with and/or show signs of respect. You may need to wear them for interviews, weddings, dances and other important events. Jeans and a t-shirt are for occasions that are more laid back and do not require the same degree of professionalism. Choosing the right attire is important to understand because it has an effect on its audience. As much as we would like to think first impressions should not determine you fully as a person, it often does. Poorly written papers that do not grab their audience’s attention often do not get a second chance. Our dress and appearance is often the same way. If we do not impress an employer, for example, we often do not get a second chance. By understanding what we are saying through our dress, we will be able to represent our abilities, personality and show signs of respect in a short amount of time.

            Not only does the type of attire say a lot about us as a person, but so does the color of our dress. For example, my brother is an intern at Goldman Sachs. At this prestigious financial business, the color of your tie and suit says a lot about who you are and your rank in the company. As an intern, there is an unsaid code that prohibits him from wearing dark colored suits and power-colored ties. To show professionalism and signs of respect for his superiors, he does not wear an expensive black suite and a red tie because he has not earned that right and status.

            In conclusion, understanding visual rhetoric is important because it is a part of our everyday lives. It helps us say the right things about ourselves and shows others a little bit of our personality in a matter of moments.