16 Optic Analysis Strategy & Thesis Practice

Designate the recorder/scribe, the facilitator, the reporter and introduce yourselves to each other!

On Canvas, visit to the Digital Resource Folders and click on the Homelessness folder.

Click on the file titled “Videos, Songs, Poems, Arts for Homelessness” and scroll to the two pieces of artwork at the bottom.

• • Groups 1, 2, 3: analyze the “God Bless Birmingham” image by Banksy
  • Groups 4, 5, 6: analyze the “I Want Change” Image by Meek

This group activity has two parts:

Part 1:

• Use all parts of the OPTIC Strategy for your analysis. DON’T RUSH THIS. When writing a strong analysis, it’s important to carefully examine ALL PARTS of the image.
  • For the scribe, your notes should look something like this:
    O = overview: [write a complete sentence that describes the visual with enough detail that someone who isn’t looking at it can have a general idea of what is contained in the visual]
    P = parts: [break down the visual into sections, describe the placement, everything you see, etc.                   T = title: [and so on … follow the guidelines on the 1st page of the OPTIC Strategy]

Part 2:

Use the thesis template (also on the assignment guidelines) and write a tentative thesis for the image:

The __________ [identify the medium—ad, poster, street art etc.] from/by _______ [source if applicable] uses _____________and ___________ [identify at least two rhetorical strategies] to make a statement about _____________________________ [identify purpose/overall message/theme of the image]. The image accomplishes this through the use of _____________,  _______________,  and _________________ [identify 3 visual elements in the blanks organized from least to MOST important].

When you’re finished, your group’s reporter will share your OPTIC process & thesis with the rest of the class.