The Visual Analysis Paper How to write a rhetorical analysis essay of primarily visual texts with a focus on demonstrating the author’s understanding of the rhetorical situation and design principles.

Basic Form Use an MLA header but use your correct in-text citation and add a runner with a “Reference” section at the end if you are working with APA Or with MLA use name and page number for each page with a “Works Cited” page at the end. Paper should be about three to four pages (3-4) long including the graphic you are analyzing within the text. One more page will have your citations in your correct format. You will need to give from where you drew the picture,

APA puts in a running banner here. MLA do as it is shown here. Depending on your system your paper should end with either MLA: Works Cited APA” References

Like any rhetorical analysis essay (such as literature or music), an essay analyzing a visual document should in its introduction quickly establish what the author intends to do: So what should be in the opening Paragraph? Define the task, making it clear this is not an evaluation essay or an overt argument. Clearly state what the document under consideration is and possibly give some pertinent background information about its history or development.

The intro can be a good place for a quick, narrative summary of the document. The key word here is “quick, for you may be dealing with something large (for example, an entire episode of a cartoon like the Simpsons) Save more in-depth descriptions for your body paragraph analysis: Thus, if dealing with a smaller document (like a photograph or an advertisement), the introduction or first page is a good place to integrate it into page.

Cautions Do not think that you have to know everything about a photo—in fact the best essays are based on images in which there is room to interpret. There may be information in text with the photo but maybe not. Do not describe ideas which can not be seen in the actual image. So do not use your mother and tell the reader who important this woman is if there is not clear evidence within the image that she is your mother. Describe what is actually there. Personal interpretation, is fine but not personal data.

Review this Film of a Visual Analysis which we say in class http://youtu.be/Qu2N5kcGi1Q

There are a range of ways to analyze an image Give a basic run down of the rhetorical situation surrounding the document: the author, the audience, the purpose, the context. Compose a clear thesis. Not a statement of intent Not a rhetorical question See Owl page for some examples. There are a range of ways to analyze an image

Analysis Order (Body Paragraphs) 1. Chronological If the Writer is analyzing a photo essay on the web or in a booklet, a chronological treatment allows the author to present his or her insights in the same order that a viewer of the document experiences those images. It is likely that the images have been put in that order and juxtaposed for a reason, so this line of analysis can be easily integrated into the essay.

Conclusion Restate observations and make a broader application 2. Spatial Left to right and top to down The eye will naturally look for center Lines are often used to provide direction the eye tends to linger in the top left quadrant before moving left to right. 3, Persuasive Appeals: These concepts roughly correspond to the logic, emotion, and character of the document’s attempt to persuade. logos, pathos, and ethos Conclusion Restate observations and make a broader application The links on the next page will take you to the original OWL document upon which this was based as well as other definition pages. Also there are links to at least two site which might provide you with an interesting image.

Useful Links Purdue OWL on Visual Analysis <https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/725/03/> Visual Analysis PDF Duke University How do I structure my Visual Analysis? <http://www.monash.edu.au/lls/llonline/writing/artdesign/writing/1.3.xml> A Visual Resource-- Flickr <http://www.flickr.com/photos/neera> American Society of Magazine Editors 40 years <http://www.magazine.org/asme/magazine-cover-contests/asmes-top-40-magazine-covers-last-40-years>

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