Essay 2 

 
Community Issue Photo Essay 

Overview

One of the biggest goals of journalist work is to bring voice to issues, both positive and negative,
happy and sad, in communities. Photos have a powerful way of doing just that. They allow
viewers to imagine the story through the lens of the photographer/writer and look at a very
specific moment in time.

The goal of this assignment is for you to create a Photo Essay that evokes emotion from those
who view it. The goal is to inspire your audience to some kind of action. Just like a written essay,
you should brainstorm a topic, gather information, and use that information in your essay – but
your information will primarily be what’s provided through photographs. As well, you should
plan your essay, organizing it with an introduction, body and conclusion.

In addition to the visual photographs which you will take, edit, and arrange in a powerpoint
slideshow, you will write a 250-300 word artist statement that comments on the subject matter
you photographed and the message you were portraying.

Details:
1. Your photo-essay must:
a. Be about an issue/person in a local community that you can easily access or
research online.

2. Recommended length is 12 photographs.

3. You must take and use your own photographs or cite the source if they are not your own.
4. You must have a title for your photo-essay.
5. Your audience includes the general public who may see your finished essay on your
electronic portfolio website or blog.
6. All projects will be loaded to our blackboard to share.

How I will Evaluate Your Essay   

I am using something called "spec" grading to evaluate and assign a grade for your essay draft. The grade
is the result of quantity--or just doing what I'm asking you to do--and to a lesser extent, quality. As
explained in the syllabus, your work on your essay draft will determine 10% of your final grade for each
one, 40% total.

In order to earn a "B" grade for that 10%

● You must complete the workshop draft and the revised draft that is turned into me.
● Respond to the prompt.
 ● Write an essay that is at least 12 images and 250 words. It can be over. It can't be under.
● Use interview and secondary sources.
In order to earn an "A" grade for that 10%

● You must complete the workshop draft and the revised draft that is turned into me.
● Respond to the prompt in depth showcasing the skills learned in class.
● Write an essay that is at least 12 images and 250-300 words. It can't be under.
● Use interview and secondary sources effectively

In order to earn a "C" grade for that 10%

● You must complete the workshop draft and the revised draft that is turned into me.
● Respond to the prompt but not fully.
● Write an essay that is less than 12 images and 250 words.
● Use interview and/or secondary source but not enough to develop the essay.

If you do not meet the requirements for a “C” paper, you will fail the paper for that 10% of your grade.