Essay Instructions: Based on texts of your own choice(I will send them), analyse and explain how visual resources (or other related resources, eg spatial, material etc) are deployed to create a particular effect or set of effects, in terms of Kress and van Leeuwen’s model of visual analysis. You must account for the representational metafunction, and one or both of the textual and interpersonal metafunctions (ie you may do two metafunctions or all three, but if doing two, you must include the representational). Your text(/s) may be the same as used for your tutorial presentation, or may be completely different.
Discuss the meanings realized in the text in relation to an issue or question of your own choosing. The most successful essays will be those that can develop a strong argument around a particular point. There are a number of suggestions below but these should be seen very much as preliminary ideas only; you should feel free to devise a direction of your own choosing. We will discuss these in the tutorials so please bring your ideas and be ready to discuss them.
You should include original versions of the texts or clear reproductions, either embedded in the body of the text, as appropriate, or in an appendix (and in both cases, referred to by number/name, eg Text 1, Figure 1, Map A, etc). Where it is not possible to reproduce or provide the text itself (eg the interior of a building), use photos, sketches etc to give me enough basis to verify the analysis. Make sure you have permission to take photos of any spatial text, and acknowledge the source of all photos etc.
You need to reference appropriately for an essay, including reading beyond the set text. Rather than defining ‘how many’ references you should use, think about why you should reference, eg to support definitions, give interesting quotes, provide insight into complexities, etc. You should use the Harvard style of in-text referencing (ie not footnotes) with a full reference list at the end.
Note that a common-sense ‘reading’ of a visual text which does not effectively use course concepts will not pass. It is essential that you demonstrate a technical understanding of the systems and their features and realizations in relation to the specific metafunctions.
Note also that I may take a copy of your work and use it as a model for future classes; please let me know if you do not want me to do this.
Online submission only. No hard copy for this essay.
Marking Criteria: You need to demonstrate:
• clear understanding of the metafunctional framework;
• interesting choice of text/s and interesting approach to the text;
• ability to identify and describe the semiotic resources used in the text and to ground your text interpretation on the basis of explicit analysis of semiotic features;
• understanding of complexities and/or problems in analysis and interpretation;
• well-structured and well-written essay, including clear articulation of overall thesis statement (argument) guiding the structure of the essay;
• appropriate and effective use of relevant readings;
• high standard of presentation including punctuation, spelling, grammar, layout. You must use a 12-point serif font (eg Times); 1.5 space; with wide margins on left and right (2.5cm min.)
• correct use of in-text references; correct details in bibliography; Referencing should be the Harvard in-text system of referencing