1. America Movie Posters – analyzing visual texts
Learning Targets:
Understand the BIG 5 – tools we will use to analyze certain kinds of texts
Understand the role context plays in interpreting texts
Understand how movies are marketed through the use of words and images to specific audiences
Language Target:
Use analysis words: context, theme, tone, irony, style, structure, audience, and purpose

2. BIG 5
Content / theme - What is literally ‘happening’ in the text? What is it about? What are the main ideas of the text?
Tone / mood - How does the text make you and/or the target audience feel? Describe the atmosphere of the text.
Stylistic devices - How does the author use language to convey a sentiment or message? What kinds of linguistic tools does he/she employ?
Structure - How is the text organized, literally (i.e. layout/formatting)? What kinds of structural elements of a particular text type do you see?
Audience / purpose - Whom does the text target? What does the author wish to achieve through the text?

3. In other words…
Content / theme - What does the poster suggest about the content of the movie? What will it be about? What parts of the poster convey that?
Tone / mood - How does the poster make you and/or the target audience feel? What elements contribute to that feeling? How does that connect with the content or theme?
Stylistic devices –
  A. What words are important? What do the specific words convey? Is there any wordplay at work? Irony? What kind of fonts or lettering are used?
B. What is communicated through images? What kinds of images? How is color used or not used? Are the images realistic or stylized?
Structure - How is the poster arranged or organized? Where does the eye go first? Is it symmetrical or no? Is it “busy” or “minimal” or somewhere in between? Is the focus on words or images?
Audience / purpose - Whom does the poster target? What does the author wish to emphasize and market about this film?

4. Big Five Practice