Life in Perspective

So this is an image I was required to use by Shane Gorski “Baby let’s raise a family” for my visual text essay #2 for composition class. The trouble is my original essay didnt get all that good of a grade; yet she is letting me re-write my essay. So basically the assignment run down is as follows…..

DEN 108:  Composition II

Essay Two

For your second essay, you are to select a visual text and offer a reading of it in terms of the message(s) (both intended and unintended) that it conveys.  You may choose any visual text from the following genres:  advertisement, news photograph or other image, cartoon or comic, graphics (print or digital), public art (painting, photograph, mixed media, mural, sculpture, installation, graffiti).  If you wish to choose a visual text that is not included in any of these genres, be sure to confirm your choice with me.

Elements to consider in your analysis include:  the perspective or point of view of the artist/creator of the piece, the context (where, when, and how is it presented to the public), the common cultural knowledge (or language) that the piece takes for granted and that is necessary in order to understand the piece, and the ways (if any) in which the piece works to challenge accepted notions, general opinions, common views, myths or stereotypes.

You should approach the visual text like you would a written text, in the sense that you should apply critical reading and interpretation skills in an effort to analyze the meaning or even argument of the piece.  At the same time, be sure to approach the visual text on its own terms, being conscious of differences in terms of medium and genre.  You should consider what the visual text accomplishes that a written text (dealing with the same or a similar topic) could not.  Consider the specific effects of visual elements and details.

After thorough inquiry, reach some conclusion about the effectiveness of the visual text.  The conclusion(s) you draw should form the basis for your thesis statement.  Use the analysis you have done to demonstrate your thesis, supporting it with specific “evidence” you have gathered during your inquiry.

Remember, you do not necessarily have to agree with the message(s) conveyed by the visual text you choose, nor must you necessarily find it effective or successful.  Sometimes the most provocative visual texts are ones we find problematic, faulty, or even disturbing.

Your essay should have an original title and begin with an introduction, in which you “set the reader up” and provide any necessary background information.  The introduction should include your thesis statement.  The body of your essay should include supporting paragraphs that work to demonstrate your thesis or “prove your point.”  Your essay should end with a conclusion, in which you “wrap up” or tie together your various points and consider any further effects or implications for the future.  When writing a conclusion, it is good practice to ask yourself the question:  “Where do we go from here?”

So basically im sorta stuck on where to go because my original essay almost in its entirety didn’t focus on the image to much let alone explain it; I somehow drifted off into talking about Detroit’s Decay. When all else fails I will always visit my friends in the student success center and work out a strategy for tackling a paper.

POV Artist

Common Knowledge

Context

Ways of Challenge

What is the irony Shane chose to use in his image?

If any body has time to please look at the image and express your thoughts in a reblog or shoot me an e-mail KrisKovach@hotmail.com I would greatly appreciate it.

Sincerely Kris Kovach