Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
Katlyn Monroe
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
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
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
GUESS WHICH ONE. 4
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 visual has a lot components shown to take into consideration. The first thing to
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
GUESS WHICH ONE. 5
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
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
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
GUESS WHICH ONE. 6
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
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
GUESS WHICH ONE. 7
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
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/