Visual Analysis Essay

Browse the images available through the Gordon Parks Foundation Archives. Then write a visual analysis essay.   http://www.gordonparksfoundation.org/ 

The image you have chosen as the subject for your essay should be linked to or embedded in the body of the essay.

The essay should be written in MLA format, with a proper header, page numbers, title, and font

 The essay should cite at least one source. The source should be cited in MLA format, so there should be an in-text citation for the source and a works cited page. Books, journals, magazines, and web sources are all acceptable for this assignment, but you should be sure to consider the reliability of your sources. You should not use Wikipedia. 

1. Introduction: Identify and describe the image. It is so very important that you identify the image very clearly.  In the introduction, you might show why the image is important or relevant or provide some background information about it. Please embed the image into the body of your essay somewhere so that the readers can see it. 
2. Thesis:  Tell your readers what idea or story the image communicates. Be sure the thesis shows the result of your analysis.
3. Supporting paragraphs:   Explain how the visual elements come together to create meaning.  In multiple body paragraphs, discuss the effect of content, framing, composition, color, focus, angle, lighting and/or context.  You should not discuss every one of these elements, but you should discuss enough of them so that your reader understands how the visual elements work together to create a story and to create meaning. You may have three or more body paragraphs dedicated to this task.  It would be a good idea to discuss just one or two elements in each paragraph.
4. Conclusion:  At a minimum, your conclusion should remind your reader how the visual elements convey meaning.