Assignment Question
Visual Analysis: College writing often involves breaking down a complex text, image, or other artifact into its component parts to understand how it operates. Such analysis can help us understand the artifact better as a whole, or provide us a way to emulate the artifact’s style. In this paper, you must select a single static image to address. You will then analyze or break down the image into its visual components, rhetorical appeals, and rhetorical strategies in order to understand how the image operates. Finally, you will identify a specific message created with the image and determine if the image is successful in conveying that message. You should find an image that interests you and allows for the depth of thought appropriate to a college-level essay. Although there are some limitations and recommendations on topics and acceptable images, the possibilities for this assignment are vast. All topics and images, however, should receive prior instructor approval. Purpose and Learning Goals Read, reflect, and respond critically to a text by analyzing content and rhetorical strategies. Demonstrate critical thinking skills by identifying purpose and/or rhetorical occasion. Develop an essay with adequate, appropriate paragraph development to support a central idea Minimum.
Requirements 1200-1500 words (4-5 typed pages) MLA style formatting and works cited A high-quality copy of your image (embedded in each assignment submission) One secondary source incorporated into the paper to support some aspect of the analysis Introduction identifying the image and offering a thesis Clear thesis that includes the message of the image, analysis of how it visually conveys the message, and evaluation of its success One paragraph describing the image in detail (250 words max) One paragraph explaining the context and rhetorical situation of the image’s creation One paragraph analyzing the use of a rhetorical appeal in the image in detail Two paragraphs each analyzing the use of a different visual element in the image in detail Conclusion reviewing your main points Due Dates Proposal – TBA Outline – TBA Peer Review Draft – TBA Draft – TBA Grading Criteria Content Thesis – identifies the message of the image, analyzes how it is conveyed, and evaluates its success 10 points Description – describes the image in detail, emphasizing elements of the image that are important to its analysis and maintaining an objective viewpoint 10 points Rhetorical Situation – analyzes the context and rhetorical situation of the image and how it addresses each aspect 10 points Analysis – analyzes the image’s use of visual elements, principles of design, and rhetorical appeals to create a specific message, referencing specific details from the image 30 points Mechanics Organization – guides the reader into/out of the paper smoothly; sentences and paragraphs build smoothly upon earlier writing to create a cohesive flow 20 points Language Mechanics – uses correct academic English grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style 10 points Formatting – uses correct MLA style formatting, including an interesting, informative title and a works cited 10 points Process for Completion Brainstorm possible topics that provide a narrow focus and offer depth for exploration. Select a single topic to use. Search for and select an appropriate image on the topic. Appropriate images must be static images that provide enough detail for an in depth analysis. Write your proposal focusing on your topic and image as you respond to the proposal prompt. Review your image multiple times, writing down notes on your observations and how the details of the image contribute to an overall specific message. Analyze your image’s context and rhetorical situation, especially how your image addresses that rhetorical situation. Seek out secondary sources to support the understanding of the image’s rhetorical situation or its use of visual elements, principles of design, or rhetorical appeals. Outline the ideas you will present in your paper, focusing on presenting a logical flow. Make sure to include a clear, specific draft of your thesis. Expand your outline into a draft, incorporating ideas and quotes from your source as needed. Prepare your draft by editing and proofreading it to ensure a clean, orderly draft in proper MLA format. Participate in the peer review and submit your paper for instructor review. Revise your paper between each draft based on feedback from your peer review partner, your instructor, and any other resource you utilize. Source/Topic Requirements For this paper, you must choose a single, still image to analyze. A good choice in image will give you sufficient depth to create a very thorough description and analysis.
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