Wikipaper: Visual Analysis

Cartoons, photographs, commercials, satire, spin, debates, lies, truths, personal decisions, and infinite amounts of visual media are around us every second for our exploration, analysis and interpretation. We are surrounded daily by visual media in the form of billboards, advertisements, trademarked logos, television shows, commercials, art, and photography. The goal of this assignment is to produce a 4-5 page paper in a group that summarizes and analyzes the important aspects of a visual media you choose.

Prompt: Write a wikipaper in which you make observations about some visual media--except movies--and then push these observations to conclusions and analysis be continuously asking “So What?” questions and making assumptions based on “Seems to be about…”. Be sure to query your initial answers to the “So What?” questions with further “So What?” questions, trying to push further into your own thinking and into the meaning of whatever it is you have chosen to analyze. “Seems to be about…” assumptions will direct your “So What?” questions and your summary.

The best thing to do is to combine and revise the summaries that you each produce. Next, divide up the relevant symbols/themes/parts/scenes/stuff between your group and write the analysis. Combine that analysis in the wikipaper and revise accordingly.  

You can read further about using "So What?" questions and "Seems to be about..." assumptions in 'course texts' --> 'Readings for assignments' --> 'Kevin's Write-up' here under 'Visual Analysis Wikipaper.'

NOTE: At the end of the project, you will send an email to Kevin evaluating each person's involvement in the wikipaper. Any lack of contribution will result in a deduction of your final grade.  

Learning Goals:

Visual Analysis

Wikis

Collaboration

Research

Objective Language and Writing

MLA parenthetical citation

MLA format

Nuts and Bolts:

6 sources

4-5 pages (1000-1250 words)

MLA Works Cited page (separate page)

Paper Guidelines