Project overview:
Visual literacy is important in multiple ways:
• Visual literacy helps to interpret art and visual media that we are constantly exposed to but seldom notice.
• Visual literacy promotes deeper semiotic interactions and introduces the process of analytical thinking about representation and meaning.
• There is evidence that examining and understanding how images and text interact may allow readers to "visualize" while they read--a key to proficiency in and enjoyment of reading.
• By learning an "educated perception" of images, we can be more critical and informed viewers of all visual media, including advertising propaganda.
Learning outcomes:
This project will facilitate experiential learning by allowing students to
Demonstrate the ability to critically analyze images
• Identify the intended audience of the image
• Evaluate the purpose of the image
• Synthesize information that will demonstrate proficiency in researching and citing digital media sources
Use a directed research prompt to discuss ideas of advertising and their use of psychology, marketing, and art in an image.
Visual Analysis of an image
Please choose an image on one of these websites only: Scroll down; there is a large assortment to choose from.
HongKait: 70 Creative Advertisements that make you look twice (Links to an external site.)
OR
boredpanda: 33 Powerful and Creative Ad's That'll Make You Look Twice. (Links to an external site.)
Page Requirements: This essay has a required page length of 2 1/2-3 pages In MLA format (no less than 2 and 1/2). This does not include the works cited page or the image page (Which means if your essay is two and a half pages long then page number 4 will be the works cited page and page number 5 will be the image).
Required Outside Resources: Two outside resources are required that support the topic of your essay (NO MORE THAN TWO, more than two will result in an ungraded paper). This means that you must include in-text citation and a Works Cited page. Do not forget to cite your chosen image. (See the MLA Documentation Directory in the back of the book on how to cite different types of sources).
Make sure your citation is correctly done, here is the cheat sheet for quick references. Works Cited Examples and Explanation accessible-7.pdf
Actions
Summarize: You will use your own words to explain clearly what happened. If it is an event, you will describe the situation, people, and circumstances. If you are dealing with a text or a performance, you will explain the author's thesis, purpose, and audience. Your summary is intended to help your audience understand this subject clearly and thoroughly.
Analyze: Next, you will explain the meaning of this event, text, or performance. You will evaluate what happened and discuss whether it is good, bad, or both. If you are discussing a cultural phenomenon or a current event, you can analyze the causes and effects or the importance of that event. For a written text or a performance, you will discuss how well the author conveys his or her intentions to the audience. Is the author convincing? What are the weaknesses?
Research: Incorporate relevant ideas that pertain to the topic you used. Look for information that helps you get your point across. Think about the analytical approach you are going to use before you do your research. Do not just simply look at the image, think about how it affects you psychologically, or artistically. This means to look at the way that the advertisers displayed the image, was it to shock and/or offend, or is it art just to entertain. Did they use tried and true marketing strategies to reach a targeted audience or a general audience? This goes beyond the obvious message of the image, you will have to understand the approaches and then analyze the meaning. Remember to use in-text citation and a Works Cited page for all sources used. See above.
Required:
Format: Your essay will need to have an introduction, a body, and a conclusion
The introductory paragraph (first paragraph) will include your thesis statement. Highlight your thesis statement.
The body paragraphs should further explain your topic and need to include evidence to support your thesis. This is where you will use research to support your ideas.Highlight your topic sentences for each paragraph.
The conclusion will wrap-up your essay. Answer the “so what” question here.
Reports often aim to answer the Journalistic Questions: Who? What? Where? When? Why? How? Who cares?
Essay content:
For this essay, use academic language. This means no personal pronouns YOU or I. This essay is objective and should be written from a third-person perspective.
Make observations, consider composition, colors, textures, sizes, spacing, and other visual evidence, and allow your eyes to absorb the image.
Make a claim: have a thesis statement that you organize your essay around and provide evidence for.
You will be graded on the strength of your thesis statement, essay focus, paragraph development, critical analysis of the image, not just the content, the ability to follow MLA format and documentation, and the ability to incorporate research in the text.
Sample Solution