answered: Analyzing a Visual Argument Essay Assignment: In a double-sp

  

Analyzing a Visual Argument Essay Assignment: In a double-spaced, thesis-driven essay of three (3) or more typed pages, analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of a visual argument. Guidelines: ? You can choose any visually-dominant advertisement, image (with or without an accompanying caption), or political cartoon that has caught your attention, but bear in mind that you must address the entire context of the argument being presented. In other words, you’re addressing the specifics of whatever language is used as well as the visuals involved. You can’t overlook any relevant piece of the argument or you’ll fall short in giving it a proper analysis and evaluation. Address all aspects of the images involved – position, colors, shading, props, etc. – as well as whatever language (taglines, caption, accompanying text) is included. Yes, you can write your essay on an image or advertisement you submitted for the emotional appeal exercise, but bear in mind you’re taking a much more involved approach to what’s in it; you also need to make sure it’s appropriate for the requirements of this assignment. ? Deconstruct the image/advertisement, and consider some of the issues discussed in our book: the emotional appeals, semiotics, seeing vs. looking, cultural codes, etc. ? To support your thesis effectively, consider each paragraph as addressing a specific point (reason) to validate your thesis. Be sure to describe details (particularly visual) and cite words and phrases, where applicable with your advertisement, image, or cartoon, that are poignant in connecting to your argument. ? Remember that you need at least three pages here, so choose something you can adequately analyze and evaluate in that requirement. Something too vague or brief will leave you struggling to meet it, and something too “busy” might send you into the stratosphere of six pages. Four is the maximum, and three is the minimum (meaning two and a half won’t cut it). So choose wisely! ? Be sure and proofread carefully to make sure you’ve also got a coherent argument. Avoid run-ons, sentence fragments, awkward phrases, subject-verb agreement and spelling errors. ? Lastly, you must include the piece – advertisement, image, or political cartoon – you’ve analyzed and evaluated as an attachment with your essay. (Otherwise, I won’t be able to gauge how brilliant your analysis and evaluation is!) Due Thursday, September 22.