Text B

Grade 7

The common stereotype that many associate with professionalism is graveness and austerity. However, in the case of "Humor At Work," an infographic by Humor That Works, the text factually yet humorously informs the readers that implementing humor in their professional lives will benefit them not only professionally but also physically and socially. Through the interplay of textual and visual components of the infographic, although the text targets a specific working demographic—predominantly older, college-educated American office workers who often find themselves entrenched in the monotony and formality of traditional 9-5 office settings—the text extends its message to both employers and employees including all races and genders.

In order to advocate for humor in the workplace, "Humor At Work" ingeniously integrates comedic elements throughout its infographic, ensuring that the readers not only grasp its concept but also experience its effects firsthand. One such example would be how the writers mention the different activities that burn equal calories to laughing: unconventional act of milking a cow for “15 minutes” (for office workers) humorously juxtaposed with more conventional forms of exercise like aerobic workouts and dancing. This drastic shift from the norm serves as a clever method to underscore the absurdity of the comparison, eliciting amusement from readers. Moreover, amidst the empirical statistics and health benefits, the creators again incorporates a note of levity through a clever visual pun: a milk carton bearing the phrase "Missing Hugh Moore". By using a typically seen American missing persons poster, it not only exaggerates the urgency of “finding” humor in workplaces but also leaves the readers perhaps with a slight smile on their face by the fictitious character "Hugh Moore”, a clever personification of humor itself. As a universally acknowledged positive emotion innately experienced by all human beings, the infographic brings out this forgotten emotional relief within workers with dreary routines.

Furthermore, the strategic incorporation of statistics throughout "Humor At Work" adds to an air of credibility, effectively appealing to the educated adults’ logos. With over 15 instances of empirical data used throughout its content, the infographic not only reinforces the shared experiences of office workers but also elucidates the multiple benefits of integrating humor into the workplace. The visual composition of this presentation is also effective as the decreasing percentage rates from “83%” to “55%” to “47%” from left to right reflects the natural way of reading a text. This placement thus immediately makes the emotion of “feel[ing] stressed” relatable to essentially “83% Americans.” Moreover, highlighting the physiological and psychological advantages to explaining the professional merits, these statistics serve as compelling evidence in support of the infographic's central premise. It is also interesting to note that the illustrated faces of individuals range in skin color as well as gender which suggests the commonality of this problem across a wide group of office workers. Therefore, empirical data combined with simple yet diverse characters appeal to multiple working adults in America.

Structurally, the infographic employs a logical question-answer format, adeptly anticipating and addressing potential concerns raised by the audience. Initially, the infographic highlights how “only 1/3rd if works use [humor] consistently”, prompting viewers to contemplate reasons behind this low statistics despite the benefit of “[making] you more productive, less stressed, & happier.” The text comes back to this data immediately in the next page, providing multiple misconceptions that people have about using humor in workplaces. Yet, these reasons reflect the fundamental concerns of workers, presenting this infographic as a piece that both accurately understands and guides the audience with effective solutions for their unhappiness. The second instance of this format occurs later in the infographic, where concerns regarding the acceptance and value of humor in the workplace are raised. To answer the rhetorical question of “will others approve?” or if humor is “truly valuable in the workplace?” The writers utilize statistics to prompt counter such questions, utilizing compelling statistics like how “97% of professionals” and “98% of CEOs” would approve, and 81% say it would make them more productive. By promptly addressing and resolving potential criticisms, the infographic mitigates skepticism and garners greater support for its advocacy of workplace humor. Since the hypophora and various statistics reflect the mindsets of many American office workers but ultimately states it as a common misconception, this in turn prompts many readers to start implementing humor more.

In conclusion, while the infographic effectively promotes the integration of humor in the workplace to foster a more enjoyable professional environment, its proposed solution may be perceived as a superficial remedy that fails to address underlying systemic issues. Although humor has the potential to infuse workplaces with vibrancy and levity, it does not address the root causes of dissatisfaction and unhappiness among American office workers. Issues such as overwork, burnout, and inadequate compensation persist despite the infusion of humor. Thus, while the infographic offers a well-intentioned solution, it ultimately serves as a band-aid rather than a comprehensive remedy for the broader challenges concerning the mental health and financial well-being of workers in America. Moving forward, a more holistic approach that addresses these systemic issues is imperative to cultivate truly fulfilling and sustainable workplaces.

Criteria	Mark	Feedback
A	5	The essay demonstrates a clear understanding of the text and identifies the target audience. It effectively analyzes how the creators use humor, visuals, and statistics to engage their audience and convey their message. Additionally, the essay acknowledges the limitations of the proposed solution.
B	4	The analysis of the text is thorough and insightful, with a focus on the interplay between humor, visuals, and statistics. The writer evaluates how each element contributes to the effectiveness of the infographic in persuading its audience. However, more elements of the text could have been analyzed to demonstrate deeper understanding.
C	4	The essay maintains a clear focus on analyzing the infographic "Humor At Work" and its persuasive techniques. The ideas are well-organized and logically presented, with each paragraph addressing a specific aspect of the text although more explicit references to multiple target audience could have been made.
D	5	The language used in the essay is sophisticated and demonstrates a strong command of vocabulary and sentence structure. The writer effectively employs rhetorical devices and descriptive language to convey their analysis.
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