Meaning Makers & Meaning Making: Communications Dissemination

  

 

Ferdinand de Saussure and Charles Sanders are credited for initiating the theory of semiotics that studies the meaning of symbolic communication (Zantides & Ball, 2014). In 1978 Michael Halliday proposed that the semiotic resource of language and visual aids are influenced by how individuals utilize them within a specific context (Bezemer and Mavers, 2011). Today social semiotics as a study is concerned with the diffusion of media information and focuses on interpretations and understandings of visual communications on the individual level (Bezemer and Mavers, 2011). In practice, semiotics is used as a tool to convey axioms, concepts, and ideologies, and its use ubiquitous in contemporary social contexts (Zantides & Ball, 2014).   

Methods for analyzing signs, which includes letters, numbers, or any visual representation or expression, vary depending on the application and goal. However, commonalities include looking at specific signifiers, which are the most simplistic units of meaning contained in a sign.  

Methods for analyzing signs, which includes letters, numbers, or any visual representation or expression, vary depending on the application and goal. However, commonalities include looking at specific signifiers, which are the most simplistic units of meaning contained in a sign.  In designing a marketing sign, for example, marketers might analyze signs connected with their product, then select signifiers that contain appropriate, memorable, recognizable, and versatile associations to communicate the attractiveness of their product. In this case of the graphic above, the signifiers presented do accurately convey a memorable, appropriate, recognizable, and versatile messages.  

Similarly, if you were assessing a visual aid to communicate semiotics, the analysis would look at the specific signifiers used in the message(s). As the visual aid suggests, an analysis would begin with an assessment of the signifier, then an evaluation of the concept that is signified.

Bezemer, & Mavers, D. (2011). Multimodal transcription as academic practice: a social semiotic perspective. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 14(3), 191–206. https://doi.org/10.1080/13645579.2011.563616

Zantides, & Ball, R. (2014). Semiotics and visual communication : concepts and practices (Zantides, Ed.). Cambridge Scholars Publishing.

The Climate Debate

 

 

 

Environmental issues such as pollution, resources consumption, and climate change negatively affect billions of people annually (UN, 2023). Yet, much of the social debate concerning the topic remains unfruitful, even harmful, to the prospect of finding agreeable solutions. Consequently, as an example I chose a observe the Facebook “Clime Change Debate” page, which contains several concerns about online argument.

1.            The first concern is that arguments concerning environmental issues are frequently lack respect, which is a fundamental aspect of a persuasive debate (Green, 2023). While the causes are many, political affiliations often wrongfully frame the topic, and the sources of authority cited have varying degrees of credibility.
2.       Another significant concern is that the format of discussion does not allow a complete persuasive presentation, nor does it encourage insightful rebuttals. Because both the topic in question and our communication needs are nuanced and complex, the model for debate should accommodate the needs of an effective communications model. A Short statement of opinion and a meme do not effectively communicate a substantiated idea.
3.       Communications on this page do not include exchanges of disclosure, and consequently there seems to be no uncertainty-reduction. As a model of communication, we know that disclosure and uncertainty reduction are beneficial components of trust building, which influence the exchange of information. The communications on this page lack the necessary mechanisms for persuasive dialog.

 

Here are five “rules” for improving the quality of debate online, especially concerning environmental issues.

1.      Do not engage in debates that lack critical components of interpersonal communications.

2.      Respect yourself and others by setting high standards of online interpersonal communications.

3.      Take advantage of asynchronous communications, take time to consider your communications critically.

4.      Consider that your audience is oppositional, reflect on potential rebuttals.

5.      Reflect on the value of science communications and scientific standards.

 

 

What is the Toulmin method?

 

The Toulmin method is a model for understanding a specific style of communication, that of making an assertion, claim, or proposition. The model proposes that there are six main parts of any argument that might be categorically evaluated for a better understanding of the authors argument (Green, 286). The six most basic elements of the Toulmin method include claims, reasons, evidence, warrants, qualifiers, and rebuttals, yet each category has their own sub-category for analysis (Green, 286). Evaluating an argument with Toulmin’s systematic technique synthesizes the information in a way which might improve the qualitative judgement of the viewer. The method is intended as a logical filter that might illuminate gaps in an otherwise convincing argument, or equally affirm the warrants of an opposing point of view (Green, 286). Thus, the Toulmin method is also a communications tool.  

 

Who is Toulmin?

Born: March 25, 1922 London England

Died: December 4, 2009 (aged 87) Los Angeles California

Subjects Of Study: ethics prescriptive grammar

 

Toulmin was a British philosopher who had a major impact on the understanding of argument-communication through his systematic analysis of arguments (Britannica). Toulmin was a published author and was well respected in academic communities, but was most well noted for his contributions of his model (Britannica)    

 

While Toulmin’s model could be viewed as a formulaic methodology for evaluating persuasive communications, it might equally be viewed as a template for constructing an effective argument. In today’s online world, many arguments are communicated asynchronistically through all forms of media and cover every topic of human communications. National news reporting might be the most poignant and common example of the Toulmin method in practice. Reporting on a recent toxic disaster, NPR reporter Becky Sullivan presented an informative article that narrates the complexities of environmental cleanup. In evaluating the article, each of Toulmin’s elements is obvious. And this is no surprise. The Toulmin model provides a construct for systematically communicating complex claims clearly and concisely, which is a clear goal of journalist.