Malcolm X's 'Ballot Or Bullet'

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Text is defined as the expression of an idea, and there are many different ways in which an idea can be presented. The same idea presented through a different medium may result in a different interpretation by the viewer. The medium of text plays a significant role in determining how the message is being conveyed, how the viewer understands it, and the emotional responses triggered. To explore the impact of medium on a text, two texts of different mediums will be analyzed and compared. The first one is a photograph of an unidentified young Palestine man, throwing a rock at an Israeli tank. It was taken during a war between the two nations on the Gaza Strip, and with the backing of the USA, Israel was able to summon the power of tanks and machines against the mere manpower of Palestine. The second text is portion of a speech titled “Ballot or Bullet” by Malcolm X. He threatened violence in his speech if the black race was not given voting rights in America. The significance of the different mediums of texts will be investigated by comparing and contrasting the purpose, message, and emotional response triggered by each text. Both texts had a similar purpose, which was to raise awareness of the…show more content…
The photo advocated an immediate halt to the destructive war, whereas the speech encouraged a violent uprising, as can be seen from the title of the speech and the pride and firmness in his delivery. The messages of both texts were conveyed in different manners, yet both were effective and contributed to the overall purpose of the texts. The two different mediums also affected the way an emotional response was triggered in the viewer. In conclusion, the medium of a text is tremendously significant as it affects the process of which the message is expressed, the overall purpose of the text and the development of an emotional reaction in the

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