Persuasive Appeals in Church Signage

Proposal Presentation – Jeff Canning

1. My topic is trying to analyze and answer the question of how churches use words,

and possibly images, in direct advertising on and around their facades. The

advertising is at least two-fold: promoting themselves and their message while trying

to obtain new adherents.  I call it advertising because I believe that it can be argued

to be such. My point or goal for this project will be to a deep analysis and

examination of this question, with visuals (photos of local church facades) and text to

report my findings, and also to support my argument. I want to specifically

discover/analyze how, and if local churches, and possibly churches in general, use

persuasive, emotionally loaded appeals in façade advertising to sell ideas,

themselves (products?) and to gather new adherents. This may be refined, narrowed,

and focused.

2. So far my photo taking and collection is of general photos, to illustrate the photo composition

principles and to gather images from different times of day, with different lighting. Doing so this

evening, for the latter, led me to my topic or research question/idea, above. Taking a photo of a

local church made me think about how churches might use words and images, on and around their

facades, to perform an advertising function.

3. I have not undertaken research yet, but am excited to do so. I am enthused about my topic or

research question/idea. I plan to start gathering local church photos as soon as possible for one

major prong of my research, of their facades. I also will try some online searches on this subject. 

Some feedback from professor, generally regarding my subject, and on how to research it, would

be appreciated. I will probably begin with searches about faith and advertising, to find possible link

historically and otherwise. Perhaps another idea is to research churches and advertising. I want to

find textual information to support my images, and overall idea or argument. I will start soon.

4. Text in this project will need to enhance the images, perhaps in an additive fashion

as McCloud has discussed. Perhaps there will be other word picture relationships or

combinations. Text will need to help bring visuals alive in an illustrative way. I need to

finish all recent readings of all texts and other readings, and also refer back to

McCloud as necessary regarding the assignment sheet. This is especially true

regarding word picture combinations and closure.

Welcome

Encouragement

Persuasion

Persuasion

Acceptance

Persuasion

Welcome

Fear/Guilt

Influence

Fear/Guilt

Guilt

Fear

Rejection

Intolerance

Hope

Love

Appeal

Fear

Fear/Guilt

Fear