Emily Ayers

18 November 2015
ENGL 419.001
Visual Argument Assignment
Part One: Visual Argument

Part Two: Written Analysis/Reflection

I chose to do a simple comic showing the effect misgendering a transgender person
has on their psyche. Words are powerful, and this comic explains that they effect
the individual more than one may assume. Although I personally have not
struggled with being misgendered, I know it is a problem within the transgender
and gender non-conforming community. I recently read a post on the Oregon State
University Liberal Arts Programs website about using the correct pronouns, and it
inspired me to make a visual addressing the problem.
I drew the character myself, and filled them in using Paint on my computer. Their
expression makes the image powerful. By having them being bombarded by the
words her and she, I hope to show people unfamiliar with non-binary identities
the simplicity of using the correct pronoun and how it makes these individuals feel
validated within society. When they see my image, I want them to consider asking
people what pronouns they identify with, instead of assuming and hurting others
with their ignorance.

A common misconception is that it is difficult to use the pronoun their as a

singular identifier. However, it has historically been used in colloquial and other
settings to identify a person whose gender may be unknown. Although it is still
difficult to gain acceptance in settings where one is unfamiliar with pronouns and
gender studies, or people who deny that language can be fluid and changing.
I made specific choices in my presentation of the comic and my character. I
purposefully used the color red as their shirt color, as red is proven scientifically to
attract people and make them notice. I also used a different color for the pronouns
speech bubble colors. I used gray for her, black for she, and light pink for they,
which is the correct pronoun. I specifically chose black and gray for the feminine
pronouns to show that they were perceived negatively by the subject. The light pink
color was to bring attention to the correct pronoun, along with my choice to isolate it
within its own box.
With the conclusion of the comic, which is the character smiling and the text
Pronouns matter. underneath them, I hope to have taught my audience to not
assume someones identity. By arranging it this way, I am providing a higher visual
impact using pathos to appeal to the humanity of my audience.
I also believe I effectively used visual coherence in the way I framed each panel of
the comic. The first frame, which is my character being bombarded by incorrect
pronouns, is larger and rectangular, and the speech bubbles all point off screen. The
audiences eye is then guided to the single They by my choice to make its panel
smaller than the other two. After that, the eye travels to the last panel. The shape
of the strip reminds one of a curve. This creates a feeling of completion and
subconsciously, beauty, which engages the reader and allows them to digest the
visual more effectively.
Overall, I believe I created an argument that could be used in an education setting.
By using my characters expressions, a frown and a smile, I guide the audience to
feel what they must be feeling as they are being misgendered. Most individuals
wish to make others happy, which is why my appeal to pathos is effective. I also
make use of line of sight with my comic panels. All these elements combined
strengthen my argument, and will hopefully make people think before they assign a
gender to someone.