Writing

 1.

    Writing: Practice in Reading a Photograph

Attached Files:

•  Bachman, Ieshia Evans, Baton Rouge (2016).jpg (277.283 KB)

For this assignment, you will practice analyzing how various rhetorical elements contribute to the overall meaning of a visual image--in this case, a photograph. To begin, click on the attached image.

By way of some context, this photo was taken in 2016 at a protest rally in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The woman in the photo is named Ieshia Evans. The photographer is named Jonathan Bachman.  Bachman's photo, which was first published by Reuters, was a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize in 2017. You can use this information to do more research on the image, if you like.

Now, review once again the Elements and Methods of Visual Rhetoric document and select from it three elements that you wish to discuss in relation to this photo. Please note that this is not a formal essay assignment, so do not treat it as such. For example, you do not need to create a formal introduction.

Begin by simply providing an interpretive claim--i.e., stating what you believe is the meaning or message of Bachman's photo. Ideally, this should be just one sentence (tho you can write two if necessary). After that, your document simply needs to contain three paragraphs, one for each rhetorical element you have selected. In each paragraph, you need to explain fully how the particular element contributes to the overall meaning or message of the image.

Note: Your assignment must be submitted as an attached .doc or .docx file. Name your file correctly, using your last name and brief description of assignment (e.g., Martinez, Photograph.docx).

2.

DB: Interpreting Political Ads

In this discussion board, you will be discussing and interpreting a recent political ad entitled "Mourning in America," which was produced by The Lincoln Project, a political action committee (PAC). If you are not familiar with the group, take a moment to research it, as that context will add to your understanding and interpretation. You can click here to view the ad.

As you watch "Mourning in America", think carefully about how this political advertisement compares and contrasts with Ronald Reagan's "Morning in America" ad, in terms of its rhetorical methods as well as its overall message. You will be asked to comment on three specific rhetorical elements, so decide which ones stand out most to you and take careful notes on those to prepare for the discussion.

When you are ready, click the link above to enter the Discussion Board, and then follow the instructions in the first thread posted in this forum for responding to this material.

Questions:-

 Mourning in AmericaCOLLAPSE

Your task here is to share with your peers your ideas on how three specific rhetorical elements or your choosing are used in this ad to make its appeal to an audience and to convey a message.

1. Identity the three rhetorical elements that you have selected and then explain how each one contributes to the ad's appeal and/or message.

2. Do you think that this is an effective political ad? Why or why not? Explain.

Once you have posted your comments, read over those of your peers and respond to at least two of them.

3.

Film: Jhally, Advertising and the End of the World

Film: Jhally, Advertising and the End of the World

Click on the link above to watch the documentary film Advertising and the End of the World.

NOTE: To access this film, you will need to create free an account on Kanopy. Click the Log In button at the top right. From there, you can quickly log in with an existing Google or Facebook account. If you don't have either of those, you can create your own new account with your personal email.

Sut Jhally, dir., Advertising and the End of the World, Media Education Foundation, 2017.

In this film, media scholar Sut Jhally explores the devastating personal and environmental fallout from advertising, commercial culture, and rampant American consumerism. Jhally identifies one consistent message running throughout all of advertising: the idea that corporate brands and consumer goods are the keys to human happiness. He then shows how this powerful narrative, backed by billions of dollars a year and propagated by the best creative minds, has blinded us to the catastrophic costs of ever-accelerating rates of consumption.

Instructions: Watch and take notes on the film as you do so. Pay careful attention to how Jhally reads and interprets the meaning of the many different advertisements that he shows throughout the film. This will prepare you for a discussion of the film as well as doing your own analyses of advertisements (or other visual images) later on.

questions:-

DB: Jhally, Advertising and the End of the World

In this discussion board, you will be discussing Sut Jahlly's film Advertising and the End of the World.

Click the link above to enter the Discussion Board, and then follow the instructions in the first thread posted in this forum for responding to the film.

 

2 months agoAnonymousJhally, Advertising and the End of the WorldCOLLAPSE

1. Provide commentary on some element of the film. You can, for example, reflect on information that was new to you, a fact that surprised you, a detail that disturbed you, an idea that got you thinking about things in a new way, etc. Please be specific, and please explain your thoughts and reactions in detail.

2. Reflect on the examples of advertisements presented and discussed by Jhally. Which of these best helped you understand how to interpret an advertisement? That is, which example helped you better see how the meaning of an advertisement is related to its purpose, audience, and the use of various rhetorical methods? Be specific.

3. Pose a question for your peers for discussion. Here you might try to clarify something that was confusing, further probe an undeveloped idea, comment on elements that were not directly addressed, or reflect on your own thinking, feelings, and behaviors, etc. Again, please be specific and detailed.

Once you have made your posts, read through those of your peers and respond to at least two of them.

4.

Images for Analysis

Images for Analysis

This folder contains a series of still images. These are a combination of product advertisements, public service announcements, and political cartoons. 

As you view the images, think very carefully about the audience and purpose for each, about the context (based on the brief info given), and about the rhetorical elements and methods by which the image conveys its meaning.

You will select just one of these images to discuss in detail in the next Discussion Board. You will be asked to analyze the image in relation to three rhetorical elements of your choosing

DB: Image Analysis

Before proceeding with this discussion board, you need to have already chosen just one image from the "Images for Analysis" folder above.

In your discussion board post, please do the following:

Questions:-

 AnonymousImage AnalysisCOLLAPSE

In your discussion board post, please do the following:

1. Identify which image you selected and explain what led you to make that choice.


2. Offer an interpretation of the image in the form of a thesis statement (an interpretive claim).


3. Identify the three rhetorical elements that you believe are important to understanding the image and explain how each one contributes to the overall meaning (i.e., supports your interpretive claim).

Complete this discussion board with one initial response of at least 200 words