2.4: Analyzing Visual Arguments on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion--Assignment

Writing Task: select a visual image that focuses on a diversity, equity, or inclusion issue and prepare an analysis identifying and discussing the effectiveness of the image’s argument.

 

First, You should review Chapter 2 of Reading to Figure Out the Argument and Older Version: Analyzing Visual Arguments. These readings will provide an overview of the structure of an argument and factors to consider when exploring visual arguments. The Annotated Sample Visual Argument Analysis will provide an example of how to write an analysis.

 

Second, select your visual image with a DEI focus. You may find an appropriate image from a recent local newspaper or magazine. You may also use Google’s search engine to find an image, using key terms such as “diversity,” “equity,” or “inclusion” as part of the search parameters (or you can use suggested topics listed below). The sample images listed below are examples of the types of visuals appropriate to this assignment:

 

 

 

Or, you use some of the following topics as search terms to find an image:

 

Racial inequality

Affirmative action and college admissions

Workplace disabilities

Gender identity

Same-sex marriage

Classism

Prejudice

Third, after selecting your image, begin to analyze the picture. Your analysis should consider the following and you should take notes for each question prior to writing your paper:

 

1). What argument (claim) does the image present?

 

2) Who is the audience?

 

3) Is the image a single frame or a series of sequential frames? If the latter, how does the argument evolve over the series? How do elements like color choices, layout, and style influence the audience?

 

4). Consider the choices of imagery and content. Are the drawings realistic or caricatures? Are there references to past or current events or ideas? How do the words and images work together to present an argument?

 

5) What is the tone in the image? Serious? Humorous? Does the choice of tone impact the audience?

 

6) Identify the rhetorical appeals (logos, ethos, pathos) in the image. How effective are the appeals in strengthening or weakening the argument?

 

7) Does the image implicitly or explicitly refer to any actual people or events? Does the cultural relevance function as a strategy to making the argument?

 

8) Identify the counterarguments. How does the image refute the opposition’s point of view?

 

 

Fourth, begin drafting the analysis. The analysis should be 5 to 6 typed double-spaced pages. You should be prepared to write more than one draft. The following rubric will be used to assess the analysis:

 

Criteria	Excellent	Good	Satisfactory	Needs Improvement	Unacceptable
Introduction/Thesis Statement	Exceptionally clear, strong, well-written intro that captures the reader’s interest.   Thesis statement is clearly worded, arguable, and focused.	Introduction captures the reader’s interest and provides an overview of the topic.   Thesis statement is strong and clear	Adequate introductory paragraph that announces the paper’s focus   Thesis statement is somewhat clear and arguable but requires rewording to sharpen the focus	Weak introductory paragraph that does not clearly announce the paper’s focus   Thesis statement is vaguely worded and unclear	Introductory paragraph is missing or is not focused on a specific topic (too broad or multiple topics)   Thesis statement is not arguable, too factual, or missing
Organization/Development of Ideas	All main points are exceptionally well- developed in five or more pages of text   Writer provides specific, effective textual examples   Writer demonstrates a thorough, logical, insightful analysis of the image.   Clear transition usage between all paragraphs	Main points are well- developed in five pages of text minimum   Writer provides some appropriate details and examples   Writer demonstrates a logical analysis of the image which includes some insight   Effective transition usage between most paragraphs	Main points are fairly well-explained though additional textual evidence is needed to strengthen the analysis   Writer occasionally states unsupported generalizations or unimportant details   Writer demonstrates a basic understanding of the topic with limited insight   Most ideas are signaled by paragraph divisions and transition usage	Lack of consistent paragraph usage indicates writer’s inability to effectively organize ideas   Several main points are not adequately developed   Writer frequently uses irrelevant or redundant ideas   Writer offers minimal understanding of the topic with insufficient insight   Infrequent usage of transitions	Writer fails to explain all main points; the relationship between ideas is unclear, undeveloped, or vague   Writer does not demonstrate an understanding of the topic   No transition usage
Style/Language Awareness	Precise, appropriate word choice   Writer’s style illustrates strong control of sentence structure		Writer uses clear language and usually appropriate word choice   Essay illustrates writer’s good control of sentence structure		Writer uses generally appropriate vocabulary   Essay illustrates simple and/or complex sentences with few errors in syntax usages		Writer consistently uses inappropriate language, given the assignment’s context   Significant problems with sentence structure results in an unclear expression of ideas		Writer uses confused and/or vague language resulting in an unreadable essay   Tangled or unclear sentence structure

 

Grammar, Spelling, and Punctuation	Correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation   1 or 2 typos or careless errors	With few exceptions, correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation   3 to 4 typos or careless errors	Usually correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation   5 to 7 typos or careless errors   One to three serious errors (run-ons, fragments, comma splices, subject- verb agreement, verb form concerns)	Recurrent grammar and/or punctuation concerns (run- ons, fragments, comma splices, subject-verb agreement, verb form errors) that disrupts the expression of ideas   Recurrent misspellings   Pattern of typos or careless errors ( 8 to 10)	Excessive and/or disruptive errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation results in an unclear expression of ideas—the essay is unreadable   Writer fails to proofread the essay (11 or more typos or careless errors)
Conclusion	Excellent summary of topic with no introduction of new information   Writer concludes the analysis on a strong note	Conclusion is clear, strong, and provides a summation of the topic   Answers the “so what?” question	To some extent, the conclusion brings closure to the essay   A more forceful ending is required	The conclusion is incomplete or does not answer the “so what?” question	Writer fails to provide a conclusion   The essay ends abruptly   The writer introduces one or more new topics

 

 

 

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