visual argument

Reilly Johnson

Tattoos

Toulmin Analysis:

• Audience: I’m directing my argument at the people in this current generation and the young ones coming. I think it is important for them to understand the true meaning behind tattoos that the older community knows about.
• Claim: The message of my argument is that the idea of tattoos has been morphed by society’s polluting productions. In movies, television shows, books, and pictures, tattoos are perceived as “uniforms” for the bad guys. Villains always have tattoos. Murderers always have tattoos. We have developed this idea that tattoos are trashy and for those of low moral status. What people don’t realize is that a tattoo is a permanent reminder of ones who are loved, words to live by, membership and belonging,  and spiritual beliefs.
• Reason: My support behind my argument is the fact that I am in the generation that I am trying to contact. I know how society of today thinks and feels because I am part of society. I have knowledge of this topic because I have seen the movies and pictures that show tattoos being bad, but I have family who have gotten tattoos for more sentimental meanings. I can understand both views on tattoos.
• Warrant: When people see tattoos they immediately associate them with criminals and dangerous, grimy men.

Order of Pictures: I chose to put the tattoo that says “Family” first because that is what is most important to the majority of the world. I think that tattoo will really start off the argument because it is so pure and clear cut that there can be no misinterpretations. Immediately, it shows that there are reasons for tattoos beyond the I’m-sooo-bad-I-got-a-tattoo-look-at-me reasoning. The next picture I chose is one of a family with the father’s back facing the camera. On his back are tattooed pictures of his wife and two daughters. I think this is the perfect tattoo to follow the “Family” one because this is more than the word “Family” it is actually a picture of his family. It becomes personal on a completely new level because the viewers can see the family and can grasp the sentimental value of this tattoo. Next is my favorite picture. It is a tattoo that says “Mom and Dad” with the hand of a small child grabbing it. The emotions that this single tattoo can provoke from someone (like me) are amazing. It brings tears, smiles, and a nostalgic feeling because obviously the person with the tattoo is an adult, but he or she still loves his parents like he or she did as a young child. Then comes a picture of four ankles lined up. They all have the same tattoo on the same place on their bodies which is a true sign of togetherness. This family is so close that they have all chosen to get a tattoo that shows their strong relationships. This is the first tattoo of the argument that has multiple people sharing a tattoo because it symbolizes that all of them are an equal factor to the family and that they are all loved. The next one is very precious as well. It is a tattoo on a mother of her child’s feet. Between the footprints is “Mason” and his birth date. I can’t begin to understand a mother’s love, but this picture gives some insight. Tattoos are permanent and this mother loves her son so much that she had a permanent reminder of him on her foot. There is more dedication in that than in almost anything else. I put the following one in that particular place because it is a circle. And a circle is never ending. I think that there is so much connectedness and love within a circle because it shows that there is nothing stopping it. These two people with the half circles on their forearms are forever committing to one another. Next in line is a sad tattoo. It had to be included, though, because it recognizes that there is permanent remorse when a loved one passes. I feel that it is appropriate to include a tattoo like this one because it is reality and many people choose to get tattoos because of a loss. The breast cancer tattoo following the “R.I.P” one is also about a death. This woman’s mother died from breast cancer. The same reasoning is behind this one as the previous. The daughter loved her mother so much that she wanted a permanent reminder of her presence. With the tattoo, the daughter will always feel that her mom is with her which will give her a sense of calmness that she may not be able to get elsewhere. Next comes one of a husband and wife who have chosen to get matching tattoos. Like the one of the ankle tattoos or the completed circle, these strawberries symbolizes the connection between these two people. They must feel strongly enough for each other in order to get unique matching tattoos that are specifically directed at one another. After that tattoo, the momentum switches to “meanigful words/words of wisdom” in which the first picture is of a tattoo that says “the past is practice.” I thought this is a good one to start the new segment with because the past is what has influenced society to think as we do, hence it was practice. That is a good picture to start with also because it shows that the woman on whom it is tattooed has learned from her experiences and has become a different person due to them. Both the past and the tattoo will always be with her. The following picture includes a shape and words. I put this heart of words next because it incorporates many inspirational words rather than on single phrase as the previous had. In this tattoo, both the heart shape and the words have meaning so it is a more complex tattoo than the one before. The next tattoo isn’t more complex than the heart one, but this one incorporates a quotation from historical events. By doing so, the tattoo sends a message out about what kind of man he is because it shows where he gets his inspirations and his interests. That is the end of the “meaningful words” section and now, with this first army tattoo, begins the “membership/belonging” segment. I chose to put this US Army tattoo first in the group because war is a terrifying thing. I find it very brave to join the army and I think it deserves to be recognized by everyone. By getting a tattoo that says it, the man isn’t bragging about his association he is merely acknowledging that it is a huge commitment and part of his life. His tattoo tells people that he is a part of something bigger than himself and that that makes him special. With the same premise as the previous, the next tattoo also symbolizes the membership that this person has with all others in his/her religion. For many people, religion plays a huge roll in life and having a tattoo representing it is a good way to permanently keep faith. The next tattoo is also one of religion, but this one represents a different religion because it doesn’t matter what religious preference one has, it matters that he or she is true to it and is committed enough to get a tattoo. The next tattoo is the Irish Claddagh. This one doesn’t show religion, but culture. The owner of this tattoo must have deep connections to his or her ancestry and history. The tattoo can show others that he or she is of the same background which an be a uniting factor. This man or woman got this tattoo because he or she wasn’t afraid of the power and influence that culture has on today’s people. And I ended the presentation with a collage of tattoos because I think it is very important for society to understand that tattoos mean more than gang association and imprisonment. There are thousands of meanings behind tattoos that are ignored because of the polluted ideas that have been developed over time. This final picture shows that there is a vast number of possibilities behind tattoos.

Song Choice: I chose a song called “Hey Sunshine” by Cory Sipper. And I chose this song for multiple reasons. First, I thought the tone and tune of it were perfect because it is a slow melody that mirrors the extreme sadness and meaningfulness behind tattoos. Second, the first few lines are spot on for my argument. “I had some pale expectations. You were a pallet of inspirations.” Which, in the context of my argument, means that we as society never thought much of tattoos because we assumed that they were meaningless ways of expression. The “pallet of inspirations” is the best part because people are the pallets for the art of tattoos and tattoos can be inspiring. The song also says “Now I know I am so loved” which is relative to tattoos because people show their affection through tattoos such as the couple with the matching strawberries or the tattoo that says “Mom and Dad.” The final important verse in the song is “They slid off their axis.” I obviously know that the song isn’t talking about tattoos, but it fits because the idea of tattoos has been shifted and changed over time. Another aspect that was considered when I chose this song was the artist. She’s a female. I thought this would have an impact on my argument because tattoos generally include manly men with large biceps and piercings. Having a female sing gave the presentation a softer delivery which fits with the idea that tattoos are more sentimental than anything.