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Visual
Essay
Due Tues., 11/16, by 11:59 p.m.

Dietel-McLaughlin / FYC 13100 / Fall 2010

A picture is worth a thousand words.

This old adage reflects a popularly held belief that some of the most powerful thoughts
and feelings human beings can experience—from moments of personal triumph, to the
horrors of war and famine, to perspectives on popular culture—are often best
expressed in images. In the 21st century, images are perhaps more important than
ever—with image-driven arguments influencing much of what we buy, how we vote,
what communities we join, and which causes we support. Like traditional writing
projects, image-driven texts require attention to issues of audience, purpose,
arrangement, development, and convention for maximum effectiveness. Thus, to
further experiment with these rhetorical principles and how those principles apply
across different media platforms, this assignment will give you an opportunity to
experiment with the process of composing an essay that relies on images for the bulk
of its rhetorical impact. In the process, you will draw attention to and make a statement
about an issue that is of significant importance to you.
Photo Credits: McCurry, Steve. Afghan Girl. June 1985. National Geographic. National Geographic Society. Web.19 Oct. 2010.
Rosenthal, Joe. Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima. 23 Feb. 1945. Associated Press. Web. 19 Oct 2010.
DUE: 11/16, by 11:59 p.m. (via Concourse
“iPod advertisement.” Sept 2003. MacWorld Magazine. Macrumors.com. unless
Web. 19 other arrangements are
Oct. 2010. made).
 Requirements & Grading
Your visual essay may take any image-
driven format that seems appropriate for
addressing your issue and should include a Your finished piece will be evaluated on
combination of image and text (sound may the following criteria:
also be used). Some options might include: 1) Focus/Purpose: The essay must
• A photo essay or slideshow (6-8 present a clear point of view on
slides or images) the topic

• A video essay (approx. 2-3 minutes) 2) Arrangement: The elements of

the essay should be arranged in
If you would like to choose another format, a way that enhances the
then please let me know. You are welcome effectiveness of the piece.
to use any kind of software you are
comfortable with—Microsoft Word, 3) Development: The essay should
PhotoShop, PowerPoint, iMovie, Web- offer examples and evidence
based tools, etc.—to produce your finished (including library research) in
product. You may shoot your own support of the main ideas.
photos/video or use existing media (must 4) Format/Design: The design
be cited properly). Your finished product should enhance the essay’s
must be available in a digital format. message.

5) Conventions: The essay should

Need Help? Ask! be error-free, and all
media/source material should be
Dr. E: edietelm@nd.edu cited.
Writing Center: writingcenter.nd.edu
6) Written essay: The visual essay
First-year librarian: lmorgan1@nd.edu
should be accompanied by a 2-3
page written essay that explains
the visual piece.
Image Credit: “Fighting to Restore Vision.” Photo. University of Notre Dame Video Channel. 2010. Web. 22 Oct. 2010.

2
Supporting Assignments
You will be required to complete smaller projects along the way, much as you did in support of your
print-based research essay. These tasks are designed to help you manage the writing process by
organizing your thinking and resources, and those smaller assignments will be factored into your final
point total for the essay. We will talk more about these smaller assignments in class.

Choosing a Topic and Purpose

For the purpose of this essay, one option might be to analyze a visual text (or series of related visual
texts) and make some claim about the way those texts communicate. In this scenario, the visuals in
your essay would likely be the artifacts under analysis (paintings, advertisements, billboards, music
videos, architecture, or pretty much any other artifact). Start asking questions to discover some
potential lines of inquiry that interest you. For example:

• What kinds of racial stereotypes exist in campaign ads addressing immigration issues?

• How is the Notre Dame mission statement reflected in its campus architecture?

• How do movies like “Avatar” and “The Social Network” reflect current, cultural attitudes and
anxieties about technology?

• What kind of cultural benefit do humorous “viral videos” provide a democratic society?

Another approach would be to make an argument about a particular issue (an existing policy, an
overlooked social issue, a current event, a historical movement, etc.) and use images as a way to
provide evidence for or rhetorical power to your argument. Whatever approach you take, your essay
should address a topic that is of interest and importance to you. Remember: your topic should be
narrow enough in scope that you can adequately develop your argument in 6-8 images (or 2-3 minutes
of video), so try to intersect big ideas and controversies with local communities or individuals. For
example:

• How can the Notre Dame administration better support its student-athletes?

• Why do so many young people seem apathetic about politics?

• Why should more people be aware of the crisis of street children in Pakistan?

• How is a new technological development helping to improve the life of a local community
member?

Whatever approach you take, be sure to choose and issue or population that is of interest to you—your
essay should reflect your passion!

Resources
Creative Commons (http://creativecommons.org): Find works that you can use without
seeking permission. Note: You must still give credit to the original creator.
Flickr (http://www.flickr.com): Many images on this photo-sharing site are licensed under
CC licenses and may be used in your essays.
Content Directories Wiki (http://wiki.creativecommons.org/Content_Directories): A list of
websites utilizing CC licenses, sorted by type of media.