Sunday, April 12, 2009
Amber's Question
In chapter 4, starting on page 129, of The Interplay of Influence, the use of language and symbols through the media are mentioned. Symbols and language have much power over what a reader or viewer thinks. Newspaper headlines are visual, but television news is visual and narrative. Events such as political campaigns focus on the language and symbols used to catch the audience's attention. Describe a time or times when you noticed the use of powerful language or symbols on television or in the newspaper to sway an audience. Use examples from the book to back up your experience(s).
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In the most recent election I think the biggest symbold being used was the word "Change." I'm pretty sure this word was stuck in peoples head because it was everywhere. If you weren't reading it on a billboard or poster you were hearing it on some advertisement. Obama stood for change and this was what he was using against the Republican party. Although, McCain did come out with the "Maverick" I do not believe it was as over-used as the word change.
ReplyDeleteNow everyone is waiting for the change. This is something Obama promised in language and through symbols to the people, but he also noted that it would take time.
Hopefully, we will see proof of this before the election in 4 more years so this symbol cannot be used against him. The example from the book with George H. W. Bush and his "Read my lips, no new taxes" promise was broken and then what was once a great use of language becomes language that can be used against you. When the next electon rolled around the language and symbols being used was no No old Bush.
Symbols and language can be very persuasive and can help politicians get elected. Once they do not follow through they, these can be used against them. This is why we are able to some-what trust what politicians have to say because if they do not follow through we do not have to re-elect them.
Words clearly have power over people. One word is capable of winning over the masses. The finest example of one word being used to alter the public’s view would be “change.” Change was the word that we heard over and over during the last election cycle. The power of one word was clearly exemplified by President Barack Obama’s overwhelming win over Senator John McCain.
ReplyDeleteAnother example of using the power of words along with narration was the Democratic Convention in Denver. Presidential candidate Obama conducted his speech in front of large pillars and read off of his teleprompter with great passion and power. The setting along with the power of his words completely swayed a good majority of undecided voters to his side. An example of using setting along with words would be former President George W. Bush and his Mission Accomplished speech. The setting was on a U.S. Aircraft Carrier, and he used two simple words: “Mission Accomplished.” The former president has been judged many times because of his use of words and scenery.
For a while people may believe the words and symbols. But I believe that eventually all people want to see some proof behind politicians words. What good are words without action? Words remain empty without meaning. The word change has been fulfilled with the new policies of the Obama Administration, whereas the words: Mission Accomplished, are not as powerful because obviously the mission has not been accomplished. Clearly though, words, scenery, and symbols have the power to change the way people think and act.
The powerful use of language and symbols can be seen throughout political campaigns. Over the years, I have noticed this year-after-year, campaign-after-campaign. Many politicians use terms such as liberty, freedom, democracy, and patriotism. These words have powerful meaning to the American people and evoke a lot of opinions and feelings. In addition to powerful words, political campaigns also use powerful images and symbols to sway audiences. During campaigning, the colors red, white, and blue are always seen on posters, fliers, and commercials. These colors represent the United States as a whole, and patriotism. The U.S. flag is also shown a lot during political campaigns. This is a very powerful symbol and all politicians campaigning use this symbol.
ReplyDeleteAn example of powerful symbols being used was the negative ads about Al Franken seen on television. I recall that at the ending of the advertisement a U.S. flag was waving, and a voice came on the television saying why Al Franken was a bad person. In addition to the negative Al Franken commercials, Obama also used powerful words and symbols. As I’m sure most of us know, Obama used the key word “change” in his campaign. He also used the colors red, white, and blue, with the main color being blue. In addition, during his speeches he used strong, empowering words.
Political campaigns are a great example of powerful language and symbols being used. In order to sway the public, this is a necessity. I believe this to be a very effective tactic that politicians will continue to use in the years to come.
The book says that “news media can be manipulated through the effective use of language and visual symbols.” In O'Connor's PR class last semester we watched a movie about a language specialist finds out how people react certain to words and phrases and then can manipulate the public’s opinion on issues by using effective language. He has focus groups equipped with scales that measures how negative or positive the viewers find the messages presented to them. Politicians will hire him to shape their campaign slogans in order to sway the public's opinion in their favor. An example of this is the phrase "War in Iraq" which has a negative stigma to most people. Instead of "War in Iraq", the language specialist changed it to "War on Terror". Because of this change, people had a more favorable opinion of the “War on Terror” even though the phrases are talking about the same thing.
ReplyDeleteAs the authors note on page 134, "Every reporter has special interests, biases, and experiences." Because of this, the language a reporter chooses can shape an issue.
ReplyDeleteClearly, the language that is used shapes the public's view of an issue. As the issue of abortion is discussed in the media, the use of language is used to shape how viewers think about the issue. For example, using the phrase "pro-life" creates a different feeling than the phrase "anti-abortion." The term "pro-life" is used when abortion protesters are portrayed in a more positive light, such as on the typically more conservative news programs. However, the term "anti-abortion" is commonly used on the programs which are deemed more liberal.
Additionally, the way an organization wants to portray itself is reflected in the language. Organizations like Planned Parenthood use the term "pro-choice" to portray themselves in a positive light. Language creates images in the minds of viewers and it is important to send a message that doesn't contradict how one desires to be seen.
"Language is not neutral", so language changes the viewpoint of people's thoughts. For example, Pro-gun control versus anti-gun control. Pro-gun control shows the support of the idea and anti-gun control is oppose to the idea.
ReplyDeleteIn the text it mentions that nonverbal symbols can have more than one interpretation. For example, shaping V with the fingers during Nixon's campaign could have meant victory. But in many other culture the V means peace. Or in most Asian cultures it is just an expression of excitement (people usually notice it in pictures).
When the US was involved with World War II, the government employed a visual campaign to increase morale on the forefront and at home. There were the "Rosie the Riveter" signs that made American women feel like they were part of the patriotic war effort. There were also blatantly anti-Nazi films that were shown to the military in order to increase morale.
ReplyDeleteIn these cases, the images used and the language used were a very important aspect of the campaigns. The poster featuring "Rosie the Riveter" showed a woman flexing her muscles with a determined look on her face and she was saying "We can do it". There was another poster that was dark and it stated that "Loose Lips Sink Ships". These statements fit well under the checklist on page 132 for creating newsworthy statements. The statements were short, concise, and made a clear statement about the role of American citizens in the war effort.
I think a great example of the power of symbols is President Obama's campaign in the recent election versus Sen. John McCain. The word "CHANGE" was so effective for his campaign. Obama understood the frustration that many Americans had with the Bush Administration and was therefore able to present himself as the change Americans were looking for.
ReplyDeleteOn page 130, the book mentions that "nonverbal symbols are risky sometimes because they are open to more than one interpretation." An example of former president Nixon at the dedication ceramony at the Nixon Library. Nixon's V shaped hands were left to open interpretation. The book states that in the context of the library ceramony, Nixon's hands "could have indicated a final victory over those who forced his recognition from office (p. 130)."
The use of symbols is important in the media, but messages should be made clear and consise, otherwise they may be interpreted in several different ways.
The book states that reporters all have their own interests at mind so to convey them they use language. The way people phrase abortion as "pro" is ridculous because it just softens the actual meaning from sounding insensitive.
ReplyDeleteNot many people would want funding going towards killing babies, but if it is changed to a different language it is acceptable. The book refers to the use of nonverbals as being more open for interpretation and I agree.
I don't think about the message I am giving off when I am doing annoying tasks or boring ones and I probably look bad because my non verbals are showing a highly irriatated person when really thats just how I zone out sometimes.