Rhetoric Blog

The intended message of this image has a plethora of origins. The possible viewpoints through which this ad was meant to be interpreted are endless. It could be coming from an individual who is anti-smoking, this could come from someone who is trying to convince others to stop smoking or it could even be the media’s take on cigarette/smoking in general. While countless ideas could arouse in regards to this image, most notably the main message in which is trying to be conveyed is the voice of “Anti-Smoking/Cigarettes.” Although the central theme of this image is to STOP SMOKING, there is another element of the image. The image is not of just cigarettes but made to look as if the cigarettes were components of a ticking time bomb. The text of the image reads “it’s ticking”, as to say cigarette smoke could lead to your explosion. The image was developed to create a sense of urgency about the harmful effects of smoking. It could even be argued that the cigarettes were made to resemble dynamite, and that with each additional cigarette, the grand effect will increase in destructive power. In conclusion, I feel as though this image despite its other possible viewpoints, is an ad intended to increase national urgency about the harmful and possible detrimental effects of cigarettes and all its of cohorts.