Running head: GUESS WHICH ONE.

Guess Which One.

Katlyn Monroe

Arizona State University

01/27/19
GUESS WHICH ONE. 2

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to analyze a visual and the effects it can have on the viewer by the

use of ethos, pathos, logos, and other techniques. It is looked at from the main focus down to the

color of the lettering. All details is there for a reason. This specific image is to open the eyes of

Americans and the reality of the gun laws that exist in this country compared to simple things

such as Kinder chocolate candies. The image did come out in 2013 but is still relevant and shared

today meaning the image has a message that is relevant today. The purpose of a visual image

shared is to influence the thoughts of the audience.

Keywords: guns, Kinder, school

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Guess Which One.

America has countless issues that have been addressed through visual images found on a

variety of platforms. This is our way to express our concern or stand on issues happening in our

society. For example, gun control has been a controversial topic for decades, especially in the

last 20 years with a dramatic increase in school shootings. School shootings have been

happening for a long time, but the shooting that occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary on

December 14, 2012 really hit America for the worst. Since Sandy Hook there has been 290

school shootings (Wilson). The most recent school shooting that really caused a push for gun

control was the Parkland shooting that killed 17 people on February 14, 2018. The students

involved decided to speak their mind and express that enough is enough. They have been

involved with news networks and countless other resources to help voice their opinions on a

national level. Many people heard their voice and decided to follow them and try to make an

actual change through the government. These events caught eyes of millions causing them to

exercise their freedom of speech and expression by protesting either in person or online. The

purpose of releasing visual images to the public is to influence, educate, or persuade the viewers

based on the topic being showed.

In the United States today an 18 year old, who cannot buy alcohol, can purchase a gun

with minimal requirements. However, it is illegal to import Kinder Surprise Eggs because of the

potential danger it causes to children according to the FDA: “​While there have been at least

seven reported child deaths worldwide​ due to choking on a Kinder Surprise since 1989, many
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argue that the ​fatalities are quite low​ considering the billions of Kinder eggs that are sold and

consumed” (Khoo). A total of 10 people worldwide died from choking on the Kinder eggs

(Khoo). There were 20 children and 6 adults were killed in the Sandy Hook shooting alone and

after Sandy Hook, more than 400 people have been shot in over 200 school shootings (Patel).

Going back to the image, why are there not better gun laws to protect children in school like how

the Kinder chocolates are banned for their safety?

The visual has a lot components shown to take into consideration. The first thing to

consider is that this visual was

released in July of 2013, shortly after

the Sandy Hook shooting. This was a

campaign done by Moms Demand

Action but has spread across the

internet​.​ It’s all over a variety of

different websites including ads of

the world and social media like

Twitter. The main focus on the image is the boy and the girl standing next to each other holding

completely different object. The boy is holding a Kinder Egg Surprise and the girl is holding a

killing machine. This takes place in a classroom setting which intensifies the difference between

the two and the realization that the gun does not belong in that setting. Overall the tone of the

picture is dark and timid with the colors being dark and the kids not smiling.

There are various texts placed in different areas with numerous sizes and colors to help

enhance the message. The main text says, “one child is holding something that’s been banned in
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America to protect them. Guess which one”. The answer should be obvious considering you are

comparing a chocolate candy with a surprise inside versus something that is built to kill. Also,

“guess which one” are the only words bolded in red which gives it a more morbid feel to give

that realization that gun control should really be put into action. Moving closer to the bottom of

the visual, it states “we won’t sell Kinder chocolate eggs in the interest of child safety. Why not

assault weapons?” which is another hypothetical question they want you to think about and

consider

supporting their

claim. The only

other words left

on this image is

the information

of the organization that supplied this image which is Moms Demand Action. The name itself is

symbolic and sensitive because these Moms have either gone through or are fearful of going

through the hell of losing a child to a school shooter.

This image holds a lot of meaning and is portrayed using different types of rhetorical

appeals. Pathos and ethos are the ones that are highly being used as it is a highly sensitive and

emotional topic and it has the conversation of ethical reasoning to gun control. Ethos shows up in
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the words of the website being an organization for moms that demand a change in gun laws

showing that have some type of credibility. Just looking at this image can cause a rush of

emotions depending on the type of person viewing the image. Since it is such a controversial

topic, there will be split views and arguments that will rise because of the interference with other

people's beliefs with gun control. The image does a great job trying to convey the problem of

school shootings and gun control by all the detail that was thought going into this visual that will

reach to millions of people.

In the end, the United States has various issues that need to be addressed and changed.

Many people recognize the dramatic increase in school shootings and demand change in gun

laws. The visual image has numerous aspects to it to make it meaningful and effective to many

people. It was released in 2013 and is still relevant to today's society because there has been no

major changes for gun control, and the shootings are far from slowing down. The visual contains

numerous appeals including ethos, pathos, and a little bit of logos which helps reach their goal of

the overall message. All words and details that are held in the image are there for a reason. The

hypothetical question asked to the audience should be an easy answer but in the end it is not the

obvious choice.. The clear answer of the killing machine being the illegal one is not the case.

There is also another question in smaller letters on the bottom to continue their point of why this

candy the illegal one and not the assault weapon. Every detail helps convey the message that the

Moms Demand Change are trying to tell to America. The Parkland school shooting was closest

America got to make a change. “Inspired by the activism from the survivors of the mass shooting

at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, states enacted nearly 50 gun-control

laws since February” (Vasilogambros). Visual images, such as this one, have the potential to
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impact so many people and the ability to show a different perspective to the audience. Every

detail helps convey the message that the Moms Demand Change are trying to tell to America.

Gun control has been one of the biggest controversial topics in the past ten years and will

continue to be until some major changes occur.

Work Cited

Khoo, I., & Khoo, I. (2018, April 02). Why Kinder Surprise Eggs Are Banned In The U.S.
Retrieved from
https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2016/01/26/kinder-surprise-usa_n_9081286.html

Matt Vasilogambros, M. (n.d.). After Parkland, States Pass 50 New Gun-Control Laws.
Retrieved from
https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2018/08/02/after-parkl
and-states-pass-50-new-gun-control-laws

Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://momsdemandaction.org/

Patel, J. K. (2018, February 15). After Sandy Hook, More Than 400 People Have Been Shot
in Over 200 School Shootings. Retrieved from
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/02/15/us/school-shootings-sandy-hook-parklan
d.html

Wilson, C. (2018, February 22). How Many School Shootings Have There Been Since Sandy
Hook? Retrieved from http://time.com/5168272/how-many-school-shootings/