Another medium for constructing meaning VISUAL LITERACY Another medium for constructing meaning

What are different forms (genres) of visual communication *What are different forms (genres) of visual communication? -TV, movies, Youtube short clips -Ads -Newspapers, posters, fliers, magazines, bumper stickers, pins, logos, signs -clothing, brands, hair -crowds of people, mobs, rallies *What can be interpreted/analyzed through visual literacy? -message communicated -vibe/image/persona/body language -cultural/social info -factual vs. false -decency/appropriateness -tone/attitude

My list of genres In general: gestures, objects, signs, symbols More specifically: dance, film, fashion, hairstyles, exhibitions, public monuments, interior design, lighting, photography, computer games, advertisements (print and TV), pamphlets, bumper stickers, posters, architecture, and art

My list of aspects to analyze Subject matter Cultural context Syntax (style and composition) Techniques used to produce it Aesthetic merit Purpose and audience Merit in terms of communicating purpose and reaching intended audience Emotional impact

Visual literacy can be analyzed in terms of: Semantics (textual definition?) Syntax (textual definition?)

Syntax – arrangement or structure of words in a sentence Semantics – study of meaning in words. This involves issues in: connotation vs. denotation how language can be manipulated, logically, ethically, and emotionally context tone/emphasis bias and propaganda *What might we look for when it comes to visual semantics? Visual syntax?

Five Key Questions about Visual semantics. : ( Five Key Questions about Visual semantics*: (*Semiotics= study of signs/symbols) Who created this message? What techniques are used to attract my attention? How might different people understand this message differently from me? What lifestyles, values and points of view are represented in, or omitted from, this message? Why was this message sent?

Visual syntax terms Font (bold, italics, style, size, sans) Scale and dimension Motion Arrangement/layout (balance b/w text and image) Framing/zooming/ cropping Relative size of items within images Labeling Captioning Harmony, contrast, emphasis Resemblance Juxtaposition of images Depth, color, light, shadow Filled space (vs. purposeful white space) Symbolism

Five core assumptions (keep these in mind when you analyze visuals): All media messages are constructed. Media messages are constructed using a creative language with its own rules. Media messages have embedded values and points of view. Most media messages are organized to gain profit and/or power. ***Different people experience the same messages differently.***

Visual Literacy Activity Study the visual your group has been given. Discuss the 5 key questions about visual semantics and how they apply to your group’s visual. Write answers to the key questions using the terminology of visual syntax to support. Determine which of the five core assumptions apply to your visual.

HW Read/annotate Chapter 1 and Chapter 4 of Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” (Pdf file under 11IB Documents) Analysis/reflection on following questions, minimum 300 words total, structured as you see fit, typed and submitted to tii.com: Given the fact that “Common Sense” was published as a pamphlet, what seem to be the main differences between Revolutionary pamphlets and modern pamphlets, like the ones we looked at in class? Do images and the ability to visually manipulate pamphlets change the content of the message? In what way? How do these differences relate to the connection between written and visual language? Language and technology?

HW – Punditry and Social Media Look up the concept of punditry Access the list of pundits: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_pundits_in_the_United_States Choose two pundits to research in general and then follow on Twitter. In your WN, explain what you found out about them from your research and cite your sources. Look for professional history, party affiliation, what they typically discuss, any famous/infamous/momentous incidents they are known for. Copy two of their tweets into your WN and analyze what they demonstrate about their ideology and/or role in the media world. Jot down some thoughts on how punditry influences politics, how social media influences politics, and if there is anything unique to be said for the combination of the two.

GROUP DISCUSSIONS Share what you learned about your pundits, including how their ideology is/is not expressed through their Twitter feed. Next, discuss the following questions: How does punditry influence politics? How does social media influence politics? What happens due to the combination of punditry and social media? How is bias an issue? What are other sources of political information that we have examined during this unit that exhibit bias? What sources are more likely to be biased and why? Does technology enhance the possibility of bias? What is the link between bias and “quality of thought”? (Refer to Political Timeout article for this one)  

HW Secondary posts on politics discussion board due Sunday night 250 word reflection (printed and tii) on how the Newsroom episode exposed issues relating to language, communication, and mass media. Integrate topics we have discussed in class, where applicable: bias, punditry, social media, partisanship, quality of thought, ideology, audience/purpose, etc.

Essential Unit Topics/Terminology Language Technology Social media Visual language Visual literacy Semantics/semiotics/syntax Bias Punditry Ideology Quality of thought Mass media/communication Objectivity vs. subjectivity Rhetoric Historical politics vs. modern Partisanship Audience/purpose

Unit Text Types and Names Political speeches – JFK, Romney, Obama, Patrick Henry, Ben Franklin Debate transcripts – any of the presidential debates Satirical articles – “Fly the Partisan Skies”, “Oratory Bore-atory” Political cartoons Pamphlets – Common Sense, The Crisis, any modern ones Podcasts Editorial articles/op-eds – Facebook article, “Political Timeout” Video – satirical clips, “Newsroom”, visuals of debates/convention speeches, candidates’ campaign advertisements, newscasts Social media – twitter feeds, Facebook pages, blogs