Visual texts and representations

Visual Literacy

Visual literacy: Visual literacy refers to the ability to ‘read’ an image; to see, to
understand, and ultimately to think, create, and communicate visual information.
Images are all around us, and the ability to interpret them meaningfully is a vital
skill for students to learn.

Look at the images below and:

1. List three things for each image that you notice.
2. What message is each image conveying?

Three things I notice about this image are:

1. Loneliness

2.

3.

The message this image is conveying is:

 Three things I notice about this image are:

1.

2.

3.

The message this image is conveying is:

Three things I notice about this image are:

1.

2.

3.

The message this image is conveying is:

Analysing Visual Texts

Read the key terms below and summarise them using your own words

Term Description
 Salient image The focal point of a visual text; the first thing you look at.
Usually determined by factors such as size, colour and
position on the page.
Vectors The path your eyes follow around a visual text. Sometimes
are clearly defined lines and other times more subtle,
whereby the viewer unconsciously follows a gaze or pathway.
Rule of thirds An invisible grid on the page that divides it into thirds, either
horizontally or vertically. Used to direct, attract and maintain
a viewer’s focus on a certain part of the page.
Gaze The way the eyes in a visual are looking. Two types:
1.COMMAND: the eyes are looking directly at you (the
audience).
2.OFFER: the eyes are looking at something else,
encouraging you to follow their line of sight.
Colour Warm tones or cold tones. Bright, dull, watery, bold etc.

Symbolism Elements of the visual that represent something or convey a

message or alternate meaning.
Lighting Saturation and hue. Can be dark, light, shadowy or glary.
Used to establish a mood or tone. Also used to draw
attention towards or away from certain aspects of the visual.
Theme The overall messages that are gathered from the visual.
Usually determined or expressed through the analysis of the
other elements.

Put each of these terms into your own words

Salient image:
Vectors:
Rule of thirds:
Gaze:
Colour:
Symbolism:
Lighting:
Theme:
 Make a comment about each of the visual literacy elements in relation to
the following images.

Picture 1

Salient image:
Vectors:
Rule of thirds:
Gaze:
Colour:
Symbolism:
Lighting:
Theme:
Picture 2

Salient image:
Vectors:
Rule of thirds:
Gaze:
Colour:
Symbolism:
Lighting:
Theme:
Picture 3

Salient image:
Vectors:
Rule of thirds:
Gaze:
Colour:
Symbolism:
Lighting:
Theme:

Picture 4

Salient image:
Vectors:
Rule of thirds:
Gaze:
Colour:
Symbolism:
Lighting:
Theme:
Research task: Find 3 recent news articles that involve teenagers. Think about how
they are representing teenagers.

Copy and paste the links into this document with a brief summary of each article.