Writing paper according to the image
Zhuyi Xia
VisualLiteracyProjectAssignment2017.docxProject 2: Visual Literacy
Images now compete with writing as the primary mode of communication. Countless images vie for our attention every day. We must learn to be visually literate. Images are likenesses or depictions. They let us make an association between what is depicted and what we know of the thing itself. There is a difference between what we see in the image and what we “see” in our minds.
This project will help you explore the following concepts: How do we draw meaning out of images? How does that meaning contribute to how we see the world in which we live? What does it mean to live in an image culture?
Assignment:
1. Find a visual (photograph, sculpture, billboard, painting, sketch, etc.) This is your primary source. NOTE: I strongly encourage you to choose an award-winning visual that is renowned, or a popular visual that has often been commented on. This will make it easier to find context information for your image.
2. Describe the content of the visual using the bullet points below under Description.
3. Describe the context of the visual using the bullet points below under Visual Context. You will need to find a secondary source to provide context. NOTE: This must come from a credible source. You will need approval before using this source. You may use Wikipedia as a starting point to find a good source.
4. Integrate source information into your essay using either a quote or paraphrase AND an in-text citation.
5. Analyze the visual, showing a relationship between the content and the context
6. Answer one or more of the ANALYSIS QUESTIONS (see below) as part of your paper, in relation to your chosen visual.
Description (content) - include the following information:
· is the image captured (like a photograph of an ongoing event)
· is the image rendered (like a drawing of a person)
· is the image static (like a painting that doesn’t change)
· is the image kinetic (like a gif with moving parts)
· is the image two dimensional (like a photograph)
· is the image three or four dimensional (like a model or sculpture)
· is the image volatile (temporary, like a Snapchat pic)
· is the image fixed (permanent, like a photograph in a magazine)
· what is the subject? (concept, idea, person, place, thing, etc.)
· is the visual cultural or does it contain cultural aspects?
· is the visual symbolic or does it contain symbols?
· does the visual show body language? (rebellious, militant, victorious, vulgar, rude, happy, etc.)
· is there text within the visual or related to the visual?
· is the image a visual metaphor? – is it being used to link meaning or information with another unrelated thing
Visual Context – the situation or set of circumstances in which a visual appears:
· what is the factor/reason/situation that drove the artist to create this visual?
· what is the purpose for this visual? – informative, argumentative, evaluative, narrative, etc.
· who is the audience?
· what is the genre/ kind/type of visual? - photographs, paintings, sculptures, films, animation, illustrations, graphics, designed objects, charts, graphs, typography, architecture, screen captures, video recordings, etc.
· what is the medium/materials used to create this visual?
· How do the medium and genre affect who views this, how you view it, where it is viewed, how it is interpreted, etc.?
· what do you know about the selection process of this visual? who decided what part of this visual gets viewed? (for example, a newspaper editor might choose the photographs to print, not the photographer who took them; a university might choose which sculptures to place around campus and where to place them, not the artists who created them, a meme-creator edited an image with wording)
· what is the location of this visual? where is it viewed?
Analysis Questions: You must include discussion of one or more of these questions in your essay:
· What is the power of photography and photographers?
· What should and shouldn’t be seen?
· What should and shouldn’t be looked at?
· Who should determine what we see and don’t see?
· Do images convey a reliable sense of reality?
· Why do we invest so much in images?
· What role do images play in cultural politics?
· Are images used as weapons?
· Should we trust the images we see as being accurate?
· What can be done legally when malicious images circulate?
· How are visually impaired people affected by living in an image culture?
· How can images bring a community together?
· You may also come up with your own analysis questions to explore, but make sure you include something. This is a key part of your essay.
Formatting:
MLA format
Times New Roman, 12-point font
Double-spaced
Heading in upper, left-hand corner
Name
Professor Hoffman
ENG 106
Date
Works Cited page with at least two sources:
primary source – the visual
secondary source – discussion, analysis or information about the visual
Suggested organization:
Introduction that introduces the idea of an image culture with a thesis statement that focuses on one or more of the ANALYSIS QUESTIONS (see above)
Body paragraph or more with content of the visual
Body paragraph or more with context of the visual
Body paragraph or more with analysis of the topic in relation to the visual
Conclusion with information about what you have learned about living in an image culture
NOTE: To make my students’ lives easier, I have a ready-made project for this assignment. If you are interested, see me for the materials.
Visual “The Falling Man” by Richard Drew (primary source)
“Richard Drew, The Falling Man” by Tom Junod (secondary source)
|
Item |
Points Available |
Your Points |
|
MLA format, double-spaced, correct MLA Works Cited citations |
10 |
|
|
Introduction with information about our image culture |
10 |
|
|
Content with clear description of visual being analyzed |
20 |
|
|
Context, including secondary source info, of visual Direct quote or paraphrase with in-text citation |
20 |
|
|
Analysis of the visual |
20 |
|
|
Conclusion about image culture |
10 |
|
|
Correct grammar and punctuation |
10 |
|
