Learning Goal: I’m working on a anthropology project and need the explanation and answer to help me learn.
A visual essay is a sequence of photographs or other images which are either:
- original, taken and/or created by yourself, or
- found using other sources (i.e. books, internet, film stills)
Taken together, the images provide a critical commentary of some kind cultural phenomenon, working as a kind of argument, explanation, discussion. The thesis for the topic will be one of the key concepts or a range of concepts covered in this course.
The reading of the images in a visual essay is directed by:
- the sequence of images and how they relate to each other, the juxtaposition of one to the next and how it stands in a series.
- the layout of the page in which the image(s) is placed, and the layout of following and preceding pages.
- captions, including brief analyses, quotations, key words, provocative questions or statements.
- text integrated within the image or as part of the image (e.g. playing with the visual aspects of text).
- a written exegesis which acts as a prologue/scene setter/epilogue and explanation of your choices of imagery and alignment with the course themes.
Required: 13-15 Images
Required: 600 word exegesis
The exegesis is a chance for you to justify the creative and academic decisions you made when creating your visual essay. In the exegesis you will write, using an academic style, about the anthropological and socio-cultural aspects of your visual choices and include academic literature citations (minimum of 6).
**** You must also include an annotated bibliography (not included in the word count) of no less than 6 sources that compliment your research and that you cite in your exegesis.
MARKING CRITERIA
Innovation & Originality: Each image clearly speaks to the identified guiding topic, and the captions support this meaning and convey it clearly to the audience. The images complement one another and ensure that a narrative emerges across the sequence. Careful choices have clearly been made as to the inclusion of imagery and these are well communicated in the exegesis.
A strong visual essay will make your examiner see things in a new light, it will cause surprise and contain both detail oriented as well as overarching anthropological points of view.
The visual essay is thoughtful and, above all, aligns strongly with anthropological concepts covered in this course.
Arrangement: This category evaluates the coherence and cohesiveness of your visual narrative. Your visual essay will be assessed for the following:
Do the images overall, tell a story that feels complete?
Does each image connect, stylistically as well as content wise, with the images before it and after it?
Style: Your visual essay will be assessed for style on the following basis:
Is there is an overarching style that connects your pictures? Is this unique and successfully projected?
Are your captions well written, academically thoughtful, grammatically correct?
Are your images thoughtfully composed and designed?
Academic & Anthropological Merit: Your visual essay will be assessed for academic merit on the following basis:
Does the student/creator make clear the anthropological significance of the chosen imagery and craft a logical narrative through both visual and written content, that highlights your comprehension of anthropological themes covered in the course?
Writing Quality: The exegesis and any textual element of your visual essay will be assessed for writing quality, on the following terms:
Is the written exegesis academically styled, easy to read, clear in its intentions, rationale, and objectives?
Has the student/creator appropriately cited all sources throughout the text and is the text free from spelling, grammatical, typing and/or punctuation errors.
Annotations & Choice of Literature: This criteria will assess the following:
Extensive research has been undertaken, involving appropriate sources relevant to the topic.
There is a high level of engagement with the relevant literature and key concepts in anthropology in the exegesis, and annotated bibliography.
