Argument For Texting And Driving

Unit V: Visual/PSA Argument Visual cartoons or Public Service Announcements (PSA) are types of media that persuade and inform people in a society on certain controversial topics. Texting and driving is one issue in our society that needs more attention brought to it. Technology has advanced significantly over the years, but this has increased the use of phones while driving. In a PSA called “Wait for it…It Could Save Your Life” sponsored by AT&T’s It Can Wait movement it draws attention to the consequences and devastating effects of texting and driving. This visual presents an effective argument for the target audience because of the message is clear, the pathos appeal draws the audience’s emotions, they feature a real-life person as part

AT&T effectively created a PSA that was easy to interpret exactly what the message is without having to include a lot of text or explaining the message. The audience isn’t left confused about what the message of the video is. AT&T’s created a movement called “It Can Wait” that was created in efforts to decrease the number of accident that happen in result of texting and driving. AT&T says, “Texting while driving was estimated to be involved in 200,000+ vehicle crashes in 2012, often resulting in injuries and deaths. That’s why AT&T is committed to putting an end to texting and driving. We’re focused on educating the public-especially teens-on the dangers or texting and driving. No text is worth a life…It Can Wait” (It Can Wait, 2014, p.1). AT&T didn’t have to include this information in their PSA. They created a PSA that would tap into the emotions of the audience and open the eyes of these young teenagers who think that something like that could never happen to them. The message is that texting and driving can cause serious accidents and can hurt not just themselves but others on the road as well. The consequences and the aftermath can be devastating. This persuades the audience to go online to AT&T’s website to learn more about this

In the background of the video there is a piano playing very sad and slow music to go along with Jaycee’s devastating story. This music makes the argument stronger because it adds to the emotional appeal and sadness of the video, which is what persuade the audience because they feel bad for Jaycee and they don’t want the same to happen to them or anyone else. Also, the video is colorful and there is a lot of space in the video. The teenagers sit in their chair and talk to Jaycee who is sitting in the chair across from them. Some of the teenagers reach out to Jaycee and hold her hand and hug her. They break the distance between them and reach out to her because Jaycee has convinced them to never text and get distracted on their phone while driving