20 Image Analysis Paper Template

Paragraph 1: Introduction

Situate your reader to your community issue; introduce the image and explain where you found it. It’s important to place context around the “location” or “where the image was found.”

Try this: Homelessness is a problem that American communities, large and small, regularly experience. In December 2019, street artist Banksy created a compelling piece of interactive art about this issue, titled “God Bless Birmingham.” Though I didn’t have the opportunity to see this image in person, I did view a photograph of the image on Pinterest.

Paragraph 2: Brief Description of Image:

In about ½ page, describe your image to readers (assume they cannot see it) and try to remain as objective as possible in your description. That is, just show your readers what you see (don’t explain what you think it means just yet—that will come later).  See the handout on Describing Your Image for tips.

End of Paragraph 2: Thesis:

Include at least two rhetorical elements and three visual elements. Here is an example of what an effective thesis statement for this kind of essay looks like:

THESIS TEMPLATE:

The __________ (identify the medium—ad, poster, etc.) from _______ (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 _____________[Point A], __________[Point B], and _______________ [Point C] (identify 3 visual elements in the blanks organized from least to MOST important).

Paragraph 3:

Point A  from thesis

(See the template for supporting your thesis with claims and evidence)

Paragraph 4:

Point B  from thesis

(See the template for supporting your thesis with claims and evidence)

Paragraph 5:

Point C from thesis

(See the template for supporting your thesis with claims and evidence)

Paragraph 6:

Conclusion: Reinforce your “reading” of the image –How do specific visual elements connect with specific rhetorical elements to communicate with the target audience? How is the political, social, or historical context represented through the image and what does that mean for your analysis? Are the visual/rhetorical appeals effective for the target audience?

Works Cited page: Cite your image using MLA formatting.