A visual analysis essay asks you to analyze an image and discuss the context, significance, and the message it conveys to the audience.
• Topic:
o An iconic image or photograph with a global implication, significance, and meaning
Suggestions:
• An image or picture in U.S. with social, cultural, political, historical impact on another country/ region in the world
• A significant image or picture in another country/ region in the world and its social, cultural, political, historical impact on U.S., other countries, or the rest of the world
• Two images or pictures of one issue/ event but in two different countries, regions in the world
• A significant global issue
• An issue with political, cultural, or social significant in another country other than us.
• Major media and publications such as national geography, times, vouge,
• Format and length
o MLA format, in-text citation, works cited page
o 3 full pages
• Sources
o At least two credible sources preferably from the library databases:
• “Opposing viewpoints,”
• “Issues and controversies,”
• CQ researcher
• Credible, unbiased, objective media sources
Sample outline
• Paragraph1: Introduction:
o Introducing the issue and providing in-depth background information relevant to the topic.brief description, audience, Context
o Developed, analytical introduce the image and issue meaning of the image
• Body paragraphs
o Paragraph 2:
In-depth description and brief analysis of the emotions the image evoks:
Colors and shades, objects and shapes, people and places
Arrangement of elements on page, foreground and background words/ phrase
Feelings that the image evokes in the audience
Reason behind these choices/ arrangements/ ….
In-depth descriptive details
Analyze and discuss the emotional effects on the audience and the reason behind these choices
Create a visual for the audience through description
o Paragraph 3, 4, 5:
Analysis of context, global implication & significance, major causes and consequences
Social, historical, political context
Major causes and consequences
Global causes, effects, consequences, purpose, significance
o Reminder:
While analyzing the elements and global significance/ purpose, relate the supporting details to the image
• Conclusion:
o The global significance of the issue
o So what:
Why should the audience care?
What action do you expect the audience to take?any proposed solutions
• Apply Academic tone, word choices, and conventions
• Revise for grammatical and mechanical errors
• Apply MLA format, in-text citation, and works cited page