Visual Argument Essay

The Visual Argument Essay

ENGL 1301: Law & Justice

Length & Format: At least 750 words (not including Works Cited) in MLA format, Times New Roman 12-point font, double-spaced. You must include a “Works Cited” page and use correct MLA format for in-text (parenthetical) citations.

Image to Analyze: You may choose any image so long as it specifically relates to law, society, &/or justice.

Two Sources: 1. The image; 2. An outside academic source (from RLC online library database or an RLC library book, chapter, section, etc.)

Description: This essay analyzes an image. You must provide the image’s overall argument and explain how the visual evidence in the image supports the argument.

Reading & Pre-Writing Strategy:

First, carefully review the image you chose. Take notes and brainstorm in your Writer’s Notebook. Outline your ideas.

Writing Strategy:

Building upon your short preliminary outline, you should incorporate the components of a visual argument essay. These components correspond with the grading criteria:

1. Introduction Paragraph should include: a. Hook/Attention grabber-(question/rhetorical question, anecdote, surprising statement, or a declarative); b. Significance-explains how the hook relates to the thesis; and c. Thesis statement-A one-sentence, overall argument that you believe the image makes or its take-away message.

2, 3, & 4. Reason Paragraphs: These are argumentative paragraphs that link to and break down your thesis statement. These paragraphs should include:

a. A “reason” topic sentence. A reason provides a “why” or “because” the thesis statement is true. This sentence states the overall meaning or concept covered in the paragraph.

b. Visual evidence from the image (ie. main image, smaller images that surround it, colors, objects in foreground or background, text, placement of objects or text, etc.)

You must provide an in-text citation at the end of EVERY sentence where you summarize, paraphrase, or quote information from the image. You may quote only up to one line on your page. Otherwise, paraphrase. For images, an in-text citation should include the creator’s last name: (Thomas). If no creator is listed, then you should include the title in quotes: (“Just Say No”)

c. Analysis of the evidence. This information explains how the evidence you used relates to the reason. Analysis answers the following questions: So what? Why does it matter? Who cares? Why is it important? What is the big point (what it is)? What is the big picture (what it means?).

d. A conclusion sentence that summarizes the paragraph.

5. Cultural Assumption Paragraph that explains how a different issue in our society relates the “issue” in the image. This paragraph should include:

a. A topic sentence. This sentence states the overall meaning or concept covered in the paragraph.

b. Outside academic source material. You must provide an in-text citation at the end of EVERY sentence where you summarize, paraphrase, or quote information from the source. You may quote only up to one line on your page. Otherwise, paraphrase. Typically, an in-text citation should include the author’s last name and page number: (Baker 185). If no author is listed, then you should include the title of the article in quotes: (“Crime in America”). If page numbers are not listed, provide either the author’s last name or the article’s title in quotes: (Baker) or (“Crime in America”).

c. Analysis of the evidence. This information explains how the evidence you used relates to the reason. Analysis answers the following questions: So what? Why does it matter? Who cares? Why is it important? What is the big point (what it is)? What is the big picture (what it means?).

d. A conclusion sentence that summarizes the paragraph.

6. Conclusion paragraph should include: a. Summary of your reasons; 2. Significance-So what? Why does it matter? Who cares?; and c. Clincher/Conclusion Technique: question, quote, vivid image, warning, call to action, suggestion of results or consequences, universalization (compare to other situations)), or coming full circle.

7. Works Cited for the image & for the outside academic source. Here is an example for a Works Cited of an image:

Creator’s Last name, First name. “Title of the digital image.” Title of the website, First name Last name of any contributors, Version (if applicable), Number (if applicable), Publisher, Publication date, URL.