HOW TO WRITE ABOUT AN IMAGE

1. DESCRIPTION (=WHAT)

→ Make sure you identify the document first, then describe the situation, the place, the
characters…

WHAT IS IT ? WHAT CAN YOU SEE ?

-a drawing -We can see a man/ a woman/ a child… looking
-a painting at another man
-a picture/ a photograph -The man is ...ING
-an ad/advert/advertisement -There is / There are
-a cartoon
-a poster WHERE IN THE PICTURE ?
-a sign -At the top/bottom of the picture
-a cover/ a front page -In the middle of the picture
-On the left/ on the right
-Next to/ in front of/ near/ behind/ under...

This part is just your observation, you must be OBJECTIVE

2. ANALYSIS (=HOW)

→ You need to use the elements of your description to give more information about the
stylistic effect, the colors used, the matter, the positions, the dimensions, the designs, the
features, etc.

This part is less and less objective, you are focusing on the intentions, the impressions, the
symbols, the representation but it is always based on what you see.
The use of black and white may be the symbol of …
Because of their positions on the picture, it reveals that…
… is typical of …
The designs prove that…
The presence of … well illustrates the fact that...

3. INTERPRETATION (=WHY)

→ Based on the description and the analysis part, your job is now to make interpretations
about the document. YOU CAN BE SUBJECTIVE

You can :

✔ refer to a specific He/She wants to criticize/express/show …

historical/social/economic/artistic
movement
✔ give your point of
view/feelings/impressions
✔ express the artist’s point of view
It is obvious that the artist wants to …
What the artist wants to point out is …
It seems/ It appears that...
I truly believe that…
The problem illustrated here is…
The issue raised is ...