Kelan L.

Koning English 113B Spring 2014

Project Media

Requirements
The goal of this assignment is to construct a sequence of fifteen to twenty images (photographs and/or
graphics) as a visual essay that forms an argument relating to social class and/or the politics of space.
Consider focusing on waste, gender, sexuality, education, housing, or unnecessary consumerism.

You might also take a personal approach, creating an autobiographical piece that addresses one of the
above areas of focus.

Visual component:
Create a PowerPoint or video narrative of fifteen to twenty slides/frames, drawn from an original pool of
30 photographs/images (please run any other types of images by me for approval), arranged in a
sequence, with possible captions or comments. If captions or comments from readings/research are
included, a works cited must be added as a slide at the end of the presentation. A works cited slide
cannot be included in the minimum image count. You will post this to our Moodle page.

Written component:
1,000-word project statement explaining your purpose, argument and conceptualization of your visual
essay (must include a works cited).

Details
Project Statement (max. 50 points possible):
The project statement provides an insight into your thought processes and decisions during the
construction of your visual essay. In 1,000 words, address the following questions in a cohesive statement
(i.e. do not answer each question individually):

How do your images visualize your argument/thesis?
Why did you arrange these images in this particular sequence?
If you chose to add quotes to your images, why did you choose these particular quotes?
How does this your text exist in conversation with established texts (e.g., Mike Daviss City of
Quartz, bell hooks Where We Stand: Class Matters).
Note: You must cite from one or more texts in your project statement and include a
Works Cited page. MLA formatting is required.
What is your strongest image? Where in the sequence did you place it, and why?


Kelan L. Koning English 113B Spring 2014
Visual Sequence (max. 50 points possible):

Remember that you are trying to write with these imagesyour visual essay should have a
beginning, middle, and end. The first few images should set up your theme in the clearest way
possible, the middle images provide details, and the final images offer a conclusion.

You may add text to each image, but use it sparingly. You can add the text as a description
(comment underneath the image) or as a note on the image itself (to highlight a particular detail).
The text can be written by you, or it can be a quote from readings we have done in class or from
any other text. Text and image must be in tension with one another. This means that the text
cannot simply be a description of the image, or the image an illustration of the text. Rather, the
interaction between image and text should encourage the viewer to think about how image and
text relate to one another (consider Barbara Kruegers work or Banksys work as an example of
how image and text exist in tension with one another).

All slides must include the following information:
o You must document where you obtained the photographs by providing source, ID
number (if available), photographer (if known) and publisher/website address. If using
personal photos, identify yourself as the photographer. This can be included in the notes
section if this is a PowerPoint or in a lower corner of the slide if you are creating a video.

You may edit your images with Photoshop/other image editing software. If you completely distort
an image, you need to explain why you chose to do so in your project statement.

You may change the size of your images. You can re-size your images or crop them to highlight
details.


*Adapted from an assignment designed by Melanie E.S. Kohnen, Ph.D.

Project Web Timeline
Sunday, April 6th: Topic Selection and rationale due (Moodle). Work on gathering
possible images (25).
Thursday, April 17
th
: Thesis statement and twenty-five selected images with source notes
due (Moodle) by 11:55 PM (copied and pasted into a Word document).
Sunday, April 20
th
: Rough Draft due for Peer Review (Moodle) by 11:55 PM.
Kelan L. Koning English 113B Spring 2014
Tuesday, April 22
nd
: Peer Feedback due (Moodle) by 11:55 PM.
Sunday, April 30
th
: Polished Draft due (Moodle) by 11:55 PM.