VISUAL ANALYSIS
Essay Length: 900 - 1250 words
Select Visual By: ______
Rough Draft Due: ______(bring to class)
Final Essay Due: ______(turnitin.com by class time)
*Bring writing process pieces to class
Prompt: Write an analysis on a promotional visual image. Such images would include: print advertisements, press photos, album covers, magazine/book covers, movie posters, etc. Break apart its features and illustrate how each part functions on its own and as a part of the whole. Address what kind of consumer (the audience) this visual is selling to and how one might come to these conclusions. Discuss and analyze each technique the visual employs. Examine the difference between what the visual says explicitly and what it suggests. Explore how the visual reflects contemporary American society. Discuss the marketing strategies employed.
Background: Basically, this essay asks you to critically read and analyze a popular culture “text.” You’ll want to find an example that interests you, that you have repeated access to, and that doesn’t offend you to the point of not being able to discuss it in a thoughtful manner. All of these visual texts need to be analyzed for the basic elements of art.
To get started consider the following popular culture examples and questions:
§ A print ad—Does the ad make use of different strategies while trying to sell its products to a specific ethnic, age, gender, or interest group? Where was the ad originally published? Demographic for the publication?
§ A movie poster—If the film is dated, think of how racial or social representations may have changed over the years; what is the implication of viewing this film in 200__? If the film is new, what images or stereotypes are predominantly displayed? How do the poster images relate to the film as a whole?
§ Cover of a book, or magazine, or comic, or videogame, or CD, etc. — Who is the intended audience? Where would this product be displayed? How does the cover relate to the content?
There are many more options for “texts”. Please come and talk to me if you have an idea for a popular culture item that is not referenced in the above descriptions.
Once you have chosen a popular culture example, study it several times and take notes. Your essay organization should focus on the devices/techniques employed. You will have to support your analysis of the intended effect with many specific examples from the “text.” Quote the literal text of the visual when applicable. Describe the visual composition as you have in class discussions.
Audience: Expand the audience of this essay to include not only the members of this class, but also members of your family. Remember that you will be addressing people who are not in your age group. Think to yourself, “Does Grams really know much about the new James Bond film?” Because your audience is expanded, you’ll want to include enough of a summary of the popular culture item to familiarize your readers with this topic. Do not, however, dwell in summary for too long. In fact, any background necessary should come through with the evidence. Do not write one paragraph of summary separated from your analysis.
Grading Criteria:
§ Organization which includes an interesting introduction, three body paragraphs (minimum) and a conclusion. Use of effective transitions between points and within paragraphs.
§ Ideas/Content: This is the core of any essay, especially analysis. Here is your evidence in support of your interpretations. Each category for analysis must be isolated, clearly explained, and then connected to an intended effect on an audience.
§ Syntax that uses a variety of beginnings and sentence structures so that the essay is pleasing to read aloud
o Use parallelism at least once
§ Precise Diction using “Show Don’t Tell,” similes or metaphors, effective wording, and action verbs
§ Voice/Tone that is appropriate for the audience and format, yet individual and unique to the writer
§ Conventions: correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc.
§ Manuscript Format: proper heading, title, page numbers, etc. <LOOK IN YOUR SYLLABUS
§ You must attach your visual to your final essay. This can be done electronically, or you can give a physical copy to me on the final due date.
Rationale: All too often we accept and ignore the signals that popular culture sends to us in our daily lives. The purpose of this essay is to encourage you to examine one of those elements of popular culture that silently and subconsciously screams meaning at us, as we unconsciously absorb it. Here, you’ll need to employ the critical/close reading skills you’ve discussed in class and apply to a new medium. You’ll then analyze what those observations say about ethnicity, gender, and our culture.
Resources:
§ Notebook Entries ______to ______
§ Bedford Reader, p. 26-30
§ Principles of Design packet
§ Guidelines for Discussing Art handout
§ Marketing to Teens handout
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§ Classroom Samples
DOs and DO NOTs:
§ DO NOT merely describe the visual.
§ DO analyze and question the devices/techniques employed, asking why, how, and to what effect.
§ DO NOT assume everyone sees the visual in the same way.
§ DO suggest the significance in the popularity of your topic.
§ DO NOT summarize plot points or add extraneous biographical information in generalized terms as substitutes for your analysis evidence.
§ DO make specific observations about the device/technique that supports your analysis.
§ DO NOT use the first person in this essay, presenting your observations as “beliefs” or “just my opinion.”
§ DO present your observations as truths or statements of fact that can be (and ARE) supported with evidence.