ENGL 1301 Visual Analysis Notes Assignment

Instructions: Following the example of Dr. Nelson in the Visual Analysis Demo videos, analyze the visual
components and rhetorical situation of your visual text. Complete each chart with information and evidence
gathered from your visual text in order to document your analysis of that text.

Visual Text Genre: Book Image

Text Title The Tiny Book of Grogu

Text Creator Insight Editions | Stars Wars - Mandalorian
Date 2021

Visual Component Described Evidence (Visual Details and Spatial Placement)

 Man in right side of foreground.
 Dessert in background.
 Tiny, green creature.
 The sun’s yellow color contrasts with the
blue sky.
 The image is asymmetrical.
 A man covered in heavy armor stalks in the right side of
the foreground. He wears a helmet on his head, so the
audience is unable to see his face. He protectively carries
a satchel on his side from where a tiny green creature
sticks its head out from. In the man’s right hand, we see a
weapon in the shape of a gun, though it seems to be
modified as it’s more “futuristic.” Behind the man is
another weapon that is less distinguishable. It looks as if
it’s a giant sausage fork. The man wears a long, flowy
cape wrapped around his neck. The edges of the cape
appear to be slightly destroyed.
 In the background we see what appears to be a vast desert.
It would be barren, were it not for the giant rock hills
scattered along it. In the horizon, the sun can be seen
either rising or setting. The blue-sky fades from orange to
yellow. There is the barest hint of stars twinkling in the
sky if looked upon closely enough.
 The green creature has two pointy ears, bigger than its
head. It has wide, black eyes. It wears a fuzzy brown coat.
From the point of view of someone not familiar with the
context, the creature appears to be an alien.
 The sun’s yellow color stands out the most. The light
reflects off the man’s armor; however, the rest of the
image is clouded in shadow. The yellow contrasts with the
rest of the image tinted in blue, so it appears dark.
 The image itself seems to favor the right side as opposed
to the left. There is a lot more going on in the right side of
the image that draws the viewer’s attention. The emptiness
of the left side adds to the image’s mood by bringing in a
sense of wonder. It also helps with world-building and
conveying the story in the image overall. The two sides of
the image help balance the picture into one cohesive piece.

Gather your notes on the remaining elements of the rhetorical situation:

 Rhetorical Situation Quoted Evidence Explanation
Situation, or Context If N/A, type N/A

Author  Insight Editions | Stars Wars -  The picture book was not made by
Mandalorian one soul person but by a giant
Date of Publication movie franchise/corporation. The
 2021 book in question would be
Location of Publication considered merchandise for a Star
 San Rafael, California War’s show “The Mandalorian.”
Culture  On the last page of the book it
 N/A states, “Published by Insight
Editions, San Rafael, California, in
2021.”
 The original book was published in
California and then distributed.
The one I own was bought online.

Audience  Star Wars Fans and new potential  Generally, when merchandise is
fans. made in connection to a TV show
it is not only made for die-hard
fans, but also to draw in attention
to new potential fans.

Purpose  To promote Star War’s show

“The Mandalorian.”  At the time of publication, the
show was still fairly new. The
image’s purpose was to
promote the new show to
attract more viewers.

Conclusion / Insight: Based on the observations and analyses above, what can you reveal to your classmates
about the message of the visual image that is not immediately obvious?
Conclusion / What: The image inside the book promotes the series “The Mandalorian” to Star Wars fans or
Insight to new casual viewers.
How: The image does this by placing the show’s main characters in the foreground, creating
an immersive world through visual storytelling, and using contrasting colors.