Text Analysis

• We “read” much more than just books and short stories. Everything we look at, watch, and observe, we are interpreting. This assignment requires you to breakdown images in order to find meaning in what you view.• You will analyze & interpret visuals, as well as dance clips, looking for

the messages within the form and the techniques used to convey them. You will also consider how those techniques may vary according to target audience. • You will then assess how successful the texts were at conveying their

intended messages and reaching/impacting the target audience.

Visual Analysis: What is the picture telling you?

Notice• Colors• Objects/people • Placements/positions within the imageExample

In this image, you can see• A man and a woman• Wearing black business attire• They are in close proximity• The man is up against a wall• The woman is holding an open ring box up to the man’s face• His facial expression• Her facial expression

• Meanings? She is proposing so perhaps she commands (wears the pants in) the relationship. Dark business attire suggests they are professionals in a serious field of work, probably not intended to stand out or get much attention. The man’s hands and back are pressed against the wall suggesting he feels trapped. His face is looking away from the ring – doesn’t want to get married. His expression might even suggest some anxiety or worry. The woman has the ring in his face suggesting she is pressing the idea of marriage. Her facial expression is pleased, perhaps even a bit smug, suggesting she thinks she is going to get what she wants. The ring box itself is red, designed to stand out amidst the black. Red symbolizes love, but it is also a commanding, power-related color. She may be holding it for one or both reasons.

Who is in control of this group?Are they good men?What kind of business do you suspect they do?What is the social status? Quality of life?What might be the purpose of this photo?

What is the quality of life for these people? Their social status?How is the woman feeling? How about the children?What might be the purpose of taking a photo like this?

Consider: What details did you notice that enabled you to answer these questions?

Choose 3 images from the following slide and analyze them using the ideas provided in the chart below.

Picture Here

Objects – what is included? Are they symbolic? What is their importance?

Are they symbolic? What is their importance?

Colors – what colors are used, if any? What is the significance of these colors or the lack of color?

Words – what words are used? Are there varying sizes and/or fonts?

What is the significance of this?

People – facial expressions? Body positions & proximity to each other or to objects?

What do these details suggest?

Background – it is white/black? Specific location or scenery?

Significance of this?

What is the target audience for this text? (Who is the creator trying to engage?)What is/are the message(s) of this text?

What do you see? What does it mean?

Out of the 3 images you chose, which one was the most powerful/effective? Why?

Media/dance analysis

• Watch the following Ghosts of Violence clip and follow the same general process. This time, you will need to consider the use of music, lighting, and movement as well.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LPrBWfx4vg (10:30 min)

• This assignment is due Tuesday, Feb.11.• You may type up your answers or hand write them.