The front page of a newspaper is not just the location of the main headlines. It is meant to stop us in our tracks, prompt us to pick up the newspaper, and take a closer look at the story behind those big, bold letters that appear to project from the front page. Unbeknownst to us, the images and texts strewn across the front page are strategically placed there in order to convey a series of emotions and feelings, as well as impel us to formulate our own opinions. These key features are essential elements of effective communication known as visual rhetoric.
Visual rhetoric exploits our ability to instantly analyze images and text to create our own perceptions. The ultimate focus of visual rhetoric is not to merely provide visual appeal, but rather to elicit a contextual response. In the following examples, I will dissect the front pages headlining some significant events and decode the hidden messages that we are unwittingly perceiving.
In this December 19 issue of the Boston Herald, the headline "IMPEACHED" is printed in bold, white letters against a black background. The color contrast and large, bold letters draw the readers' attention towards the title. The word choice is analogous to a declaration of Trump's conviction. A small photo insert of the House of Representatives provides context to the headline . Smaller white, bold letters are placed at the bottom corner, which upon closer inspection reveal the opinions of three individuals. The strategic placement of the three quotes beside a headshot of Trump indicates a partisan view. There is a subtle implication that the newspaper favors a certain viewpoint.
Once again, the massive bold, white letters is the striking feature in this November 2008 issue of The Orange County Register. However, on this front page, there is a greater emphasis on the word play. The name "Obama" is modified to indicate surprise and astonishment through the use of "OH" preceding the rest of the name. The exclamation mark further strengthens that intended emotion. Evidently, the emotion being conveyed or evoked is one of amazement. The image is that of the first family waving gleefully, surrounded by American flags and with floodlights directed at them . This implies that they are taking "center stage" and in the "limelight". The adoption of these effective strategies contributed to "over 5,000 copies" of the newspaper being "mostly sold out within a day", as reported by The Orange County Register.
[3 images, 2 quotations, 2 links, 401 words]
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