Topic: Presidential Campaign Posters

Purpose: Explain how a poster encourages the nation as a whole to involve themselves civically.

Thesis Statement:  Presidential campaign posters such as Barack Obama’s “BE THE CHANGE” encourages the nation as one to involve themselves civically through a shared enterprise, pathos, and a direct challenge to the nation as  a whole.

Introduction

Attention Strategy:  Propose a question to excite the audience so they begin to think about about my topic.  “What do you think this poster represents?”  “What are your initial thoughts from one glance at this poster?”

Orienting Material:  A poster of Barack Obama, known to the United States as a whole, engages citizens to active involve themselves in bringing about a change in the world.

Preview:  This poster appeals to emotions, brings the US together as one, and challenges voters to “Be the Change” they want to see in America.

Body

I.        Shared Enterprise

A.            Barack Obama’s picture

1.           Barack Obama’s face is known world wide.  Because of this aspect, it is a shared enterprise.  Tee colors (red, white, and blue) also bring about a sense of unity because red, white, and blue represent America, freedom, and the United States of America.

2.          Also, because everyone knows who is on the poster, the audience has a good idea of what the poster is advertising.  It deals with the president, and the date of inauguration, which is in bold writing on the bottom of the poster.

II.       Pathos

A.          Solemn/ thoughtful face appeals to emotions.

1.            Without this expression, a different emotion would show through, which is not the goal of this poster.

B.         Swaying opinions

1.  Using emotional appeal is the easiest way to grab the attention of anyone who might see the poster.  It is also effective in swaying opinions.

III.       Challenge

A.       “BE THE CHANGE”

1.         The “in your face” bold print not only subconsciously poses a challenge, but also directly challenges the viewer and commands him/her to be the change.

B.         Makes citizens want to vote

2.          Because of the challenge, a citizen will want to vote, which accomplishes the goal to make citizens civically involve him/herself.

Conclusion

Summary statement- In conclusion, this poster is easy to relate to.  The purpose is easy to understand and is also eye catching.  Obama is known nationwide, which brings Americans together as one, through a shared enterprise.  It accomplishes the goal of influencing citizens to vote to make a change.