Analyzing a Visual Text for Messages about Gender
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, artistic piece, etc. The purpose of your close textual analysis is to develop a paper that thoroughly answers this question: What messages or ideas about gender 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, YOU MAY NOT DO ANY RESEARCH beyond viewing your chosen visual text itself. Instead, you must develop your paper based on your own ideas. Therefore, you should choose a visual text about which you feel you can develop an intelligent analysis. As mentioned with the previous paper, there are two primary reasons for this "no research" requirement: I haven't yet taught you how to properly credit other people's ideas (so you'll end up committing plagiarism if you use research information at this point), plus I really want to see you develop an original analysis rather than repeat what others have already said.
I am including two sample student essays in this unit - read them; then, discuss each one's strengths and weaknesses in the
Discussions area. Consider how you may use these sample essays as models for your own Paper .
Key Requirements:
• This paper must be typed, double spaced, font= times new roman 12 or arial 10.
• This paper must be at least 5 paragraphs in length AND must be at least 1000 words long. This generally equals to at least 3 complete pages. Do not exceed 6 pages. If you do not meet the minimum length requirement, you will not earn a passing grade on the
paper
Any plagiarism on this paper or any of the steps in the writing process will lead to immediate failure of this course, so please do not make that mistake.
The Writing Process
1. Submit a 1st draft in the Assignments section of the course. This draft should be your best attempt at the completed paper, not a "sloppy copy" or an incomplete paper. Instead, seek to develop your very best version of the paper at that point, complete with proper proofreading and editing. I will then provide my feedback as to how you can improve the paper for the final version.
On step one above, you will receive feedback and a grade that indicates credit for submitting the assignment. However, the grade is ultimately of less importance. Instead, the FEEDBACK provided by your instructor is of ultimate importance. Utilize this feedback to proceed in the writing process in order to develop a quality final draft that will earn a successful grade.
How is this paper graded?
I will grade your paper based on the following elements:
• Proper essay structure, including a detailed, quality thesis statement.
• Proper grammar, spelling, syntax, and sentence mechanics.
• Proper academic tone.
• A clear, thoughtful, sophisticated, intelligent, and well-supported analysis.
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. 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 being sent within your chosen text.
See the rubric that follows to review in detail how your essay will be assessed.