Analyzing a Visual Text for Messages about Gender and/or Racial Identity
My professor assigned the instructions as followed:
Instructions:
Write a paper in which you engage in a close textual analysis of a visual
text such as a TV series, film, music video, political ad or series of
ads, commercial advertisement, etc.
The purpose of your close textual analysis is to develop a paper that
thoroughly answers this question:
What messages or ideas about gender or racial/ethnic identity are
embedded within this text beyond the most obvious stated, intended
messages?
For the purposes of this assignment, we are referring to these visual media
as “visual texts” so as to emphasize that it is necessary to “read into” them
in order to develop an intelligent, original analysis. Quite often, when a
writer/producer/artist/etc. creates something, they embed ideas within it
beyond the most obvious elements of the text. These ideas are sometimes
intentionally placed so as to add more complex or nuanced meaning.
In some cases, these messages/ideas are intentionally placed so as
to provoke thought by the viewer.
In some situations, the creator did not necessarily intend for an
implied message/idea to be displayed, but they unconsciously
included something that reflects messages/ideas they take for
granted or those that are held by many within the society.
To engage in a true close textual analysis, you must be able to find
these sub-textual messages within the visual text chosen. In other words,
you are looking for meaning that is not directly stated. It may be somewhat
“hidden” or might be only implied.
To help you get started in your analysis, look for details within the plot, the
portrayal of characters, dialogue, sound and visual cues, and/or even
framing preferences that might send messages about gender.
For this assignment, add additional research beyond viewing your
chosen visual text itself and reading.
You must develop your paper based on your own ideas and
observations (informed by the readings, text, visuals and class
discussions) and support your analysis of the visual text. Therefore, you
should choose a visual text about which you feel you can develop an
intelligent analysis.
Since this is an analysis of a visual text and you are required to
include some info from one of the assigned essays, you will need to
properly cite both your primary source (the visual text) and the
secondary sources in order to avoid plagiarism. Therefore, make sure
your review the Blackboard Tutorials on avoiding plagiarism and MLA
citation style discussed in class in order to prepare for this paper
assignment.
This paper is not asking for a review of your chosen text (i.e. whether you
like it or not). Instead, stay focused on the analysis in terms of the
messages it sends about gender or racial identity. Beyond the
introductory paragraph, do not spend time summarizing the visual text
you’ve chosen. Focus instead on making a clear set of points regarding
the messages about gender/race being sent within your chosen text.
Key Requirements:
You must develop your paper based on your own ideas and
observations (informed by the readings and class discussions) and
use one of the assigned essays from Rereading America to support
your analysis of the visual text.
This paper must adhere to MLA style guidelines. Information
about this style guide and your academic pathway is listed on the
syllabus.
You will need to properly cite both your primary source (the
visual text) and the secondary source (the essay) in order to
avoid plagiarism.
This paper must be at least 1500 words long plus a Works Cited
page with at least 3 sources of reference. This generally equals at
least 3 complete pages. If you do not meet the minimum length
requirement, you will not earn a passing grade on the paper.
That is all. Let me know if you have any question.