Compare and Contrast in Visual Rhetoric

Moving further into visual rhetoric, we can now focus on the rhetorical tools of Compare and Contrast which allow us to look at the similarities and differences of specific images. These tools help the author to expand on the details for the audience allowing them to connect with the author and gain a greater understanding of what is being described. Providing enough details will enable the reader to recognize the image when they see it and are key to making the difference between a good paper and a great one.

When comparing two similar images, it is important to look at the most obvious similarities and then move on to other characteristics which may not be as obvious like color or shading. The same principle is applied when contrasting images. Sometimes the images are so similar that the only way to help the audience to see the differences are to draw attention to the  small details. The reverse is also true for comparison.  Some images may be so different from one another that the only similarities may be minute patches of the same color in both images.

Another benefit of  compare and contrast is the opportunity it presents to the author to describe images in detail, helping to create a mental image. A great way to accomplish this is to incorporate analogies.  Analogies help clarify to the reader a specific color, shape, or texture etc. This can then be applied to the mental picture being created for the audience.  For example, if the author is contrasting the different shades of yellow in a work of art, he can use words which describe the colors like: lemon yellow, banana yellow, or pear yellow in order to help the audience understand the exact color. Without the analogies, the audience may have an entirely different idea of what the artwork actually looks like.