Both these images above highlight how children are in need globally and locally because of the suffering they endure ranging from homelessness, poor nutrition, deficient child care, dangerous neighborhoods, and underfunded schools–just a few of the many adverse effects of poverty on the world’s children. I have brought these two images together because of how they convey the same message in different ways. The image on the left uses a real-life impoverished child and relies on the emotion encompassed within it to state its claim. In comparison, the image on the right employs statistics and certain colors to give more information on the issue of child poverty. From these images, you can contribute to a healthier population in your community and worldwide when you donate money, goods, or your time by volunteering for initiatives that assist the underprivileged in overcoming child poverty. 

 I choose the black and white image of this little girl with her hand out begging as my Civic artifact because child poverty has been a problem affecting many worldwide for far too long. Children who do not develop to their true ability cannot fully contribute to social, political, or economic growth, and those who are raised in poverty have a higher likelihood of being poor as adults, continuing the cycle of inequality and suffering. It also made me recall a time when I was in Colombia for my first communion instead of having presents given to me my family and I asked all the invitees to bring toys or money for donation. For this initiative, I was excited to contribute to the effort to help those that were underprivileged. When you travel from the US to a third-world country like Colombia, you encounter a level of cultural shock that is very difficult to explain to someone who has never experienced it. Within the targeted audience lies constraints on the financial capability of those willing to help, along with time availability. There is also the unknowingness of the viewers’ beliefs– they might think to themselves if it’s a cause they are truly passionate about and believe is worth their time. That is why this image appeases its audience without being disrespectful and shows them the reality of how others around them especially from such a young age go through these hardships every day.

Through a trust lens, the viewer sees how it is a humbling image that draws attention to itself in a somber, empathetic way. With the use of pathos, the image evokes compassion from the viewer as it provides this tear-jerking feeling when seeing the miserable look on this young girl’s face as she stares deeply into the camera–makes the viewer want to donate. There is no use of color to transcend the audience’s mood and make them feel as the child does in this image living in the darkness of her situation desperately in need of help. The image tells the heartbreaking story of a child living in poverty who has resorted to begging on the streets hoping for the chance that someone will give her some money or food. 

A social movement lens is apparent to convey the idea that coming together one step at a time as a community can help do away with this worldwide problem. A need for wiping out this issue is emphasized through the underlying method of persuasion the image uses. The physiognomy of persuasion is a component involved in the social movement lens that is depicted in this image as it bolsters the idea of helping underprivileged children through the observation of the girl’s character–revealing it to be honest and real. With this, the viewer would be persuaded to join the movement because they would see this campaign as an important cause that is genuine and not something they would be wasting their time and money on. 

Comparatively, my second image shows five children in the color orange happy and playful, yet there is one out of the five that is in a darker color and standing still. Above the text reads “1 in 5 children lives in poverty”. Arising from the same exigence highlights the importance of the negative effects poverty has on children globally straining their development to the point of endangering their futures and continuing the cycle of impoverishment. The targeted audience would most likely be viewers locally and in North America, since the text is in English. Along with this, similarly to the previous image, this one is within the same constraints of who would be financially capable to donate or having the time to volunteer for this cause. In contrast, this image has the constraints of who is able to access this image and understand its message since language is limited. 

In connection to the last artifact through a trust lens, observers are drawn to the image for its bold use of color and the factual evidence displayed. Logos is employed to appeal to the audience in a reasonable and logical way. Using these facts and figures the image makes clear, reasonable connections to the concepts the cause is trying to bring into the light. For example, the color orange is employed on the four children not impoverished because orange symbolizes joy and happiness, while the one child living in poverty has the black color because that color is associated with feelings of sadness and anger. The campaign also uses statistical findings to show how many are actually affected and the harsh reality of children worldwide undergoing this struggle to persuade them to donate.

The social movement lens is again used in this image to call attention to the notion that solving this global issue requires a community working together progressively. The component of this lens, public discussion is aroused as the text in the image leaves readers interested in the fact since its findings are anxiety-provoking and persuade the reader to care about the cause or at least discuss it with someone else as a way to spread the call to action. Both images use the physiognomy of persuasion to show that the cause is honest and logical to donate goods or money as a way to help alleviate this issue or even get involved by volunteering.

These artifacts alike share the same message for viewers to take action in destroying child poverty and alleviating the dangers of future developmental problems. Yet, there are differences in values when it comes to which element of the trust lens each image is using–my original artifact uses pathos to gain an authentic human reaction, while the second artifact employs logos to appear reasonable and compelling to the audience. Furthermore, the audiences of these artifacts will be exposed based on their beliefs, whether or not they choose to donate because they feel sympathetic to the cause or just because they feel it would be logical to do so. On the other hand, the audience’s beliefs could also be exposed against the cause if they feel the persuasive strategies both artifacts employ are something they don’t feel passionate about or because they aren’t able to assist in the initiative. 

There has not been a change as child poverty still plagues communities and children all across the world. Both these artifacts bring attention to how this problem can be solved through donations. Donations can help children living in poverty by funding programs for their health, nutrition, and education. The artifacts educate the readers are on how impactful this issue is and vital to resolve it since children are the future. Since the artifacts may constrain the audience it’s also suggested that to bring about change it must start in the children’s local communities where large-scale community programs can take place to improve this dire situation. 

If you donate money, goods, or your time to organizations that help the poor overcome child poverty, you can help create a healthy population in your local community and around the world. To escape poverty, those who are living in it must have the chance to grow. When you contribute to a charitable project, you’ll motivate others to follow your example. You can urge your family and friends to donate by making a donation yourself. If you are like me and have a connection to the issue of poverty you will feel more a part of the donation you make when you support a cause you care about. I suggest finding out more about charitable organizations and taking action to bring about the change you wish to see in eradicating poverty worldwide. 

Speech outline:

Attention Getter: homelessness, poor nutrition, deficient child care, dangerous neighborhoods, and underfunded schools are just a few of the many adverse effects of poverty on the world’s children. 

Purpose of the speech and Rhetorical Situation: I choose this image because the issue of child poverty has always been a problem I’ve been connected to in the past. Also, for children, poverty has numerous negative effects that can be helped through donations.

Lenses: trust and social movement

Broader Context: you can contribute to a healthier population in your community when you provide money, goods, or your time by volunteering for initiatives that assist the underprivileged in overcoming poverty. When you contribute to a charitable project, you’ll motivate others to follow your example. You can urge your family and friends to donate by making a donation yourself. 

Closer: so, I want you all to ask yourself how you can donate to bring about change and help eradicate poverty worldwide. I suggest finding out more about charitable organizations to take action. Thank you! 

Work Cited:

no author. “Children in Need..!: Photo by Photographer Amer Jassim: Poverty Photography, Poor Children, Children Photography.” Pinterest, 2 Feb. 2013, https://www.pinterest.com/pin/307018899567083926/.

no author. “Child Poverty.” Children’s Defense Fund, Children’s Defense Fund, 3 Aug. 2022, https://www.childrensdefense.org/policy/policy-priorities/child-poverty/.