Editorial Illustration

Editorial IllustrationCase Study

Lauren Watkins

GD208: Computer DrawingMansfield

February 8, 2012

“The Degredations and Madness of War” by Leonard Pitts in the Seatle Times

The Project Statement 1. Background The Military has recently received a backlash from the incident of the Marines urinating on Taliban corpses. Some of the public was outraged and some were supportive. But the majority felt it was too far past the line of dignity. The author writes about an interview he had with a Vietnam Veteran. He does not condone what the Marines did, but holds no judgment. He explains how those who go to war experience things normal people do not have to and it changes a person. 2. Target Audiences There are two separate audiences for this article: Military personnel and nonmilitary personnel. Military are a secondary audience as they already understand what the author is explaining. They are an audience who will read it to appreciate it. The primary audience is those who have judged the Marines who urinated on the Taliban corpses. 3. Objectives The audience should feel darkness and madness when looking at the illustration. They should understand what the article is saying about how war creates a madness in a person. It changes a person. They should understand how a normal rational person in a civilian setting would never dream of doing such atrocities that have been committed by Soldiers against their enemies. And how a normal rational person does not exist after going through war. They will feel the emotional darkness from the image and they will develop empathy for the Military. 4. Obstacles Civilians who have not been to war, cannot understand the pressure or the conditions of war. They can only understand how a rational person in a peaceful setting should act. An obstacle is those who are not able to empathize with the Military. Obstacles are those who are not open to the idea of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. 5. Key Benefit The audience can have a better piece of mind. When crazy, undignified things happen, people can become hopeless about the future. People want explanations for things. This article and image can give a little insight to the mind of a warrior. 6. Support Statements/ Reasons Why Ignorance is not always bliss. Ignorance can set boundaries, stereotypes and judgment. By having a little more insight into the mind of a Soldier, the reader can break down the walls and step away from judgment. 7. Tone The tone should be dark, somber, maddening. 8. Media This is an editorial in the newspaper, online and print. 9. Creative Considerations none

Resource Images

Getty Images

Getty Images

J. Scott AltenbachThe Associated Press

Wellco BootsPatriotsurplus.com

Robarts Research Institute

Editorial IllstrationLauren Watkins