Analyzing a Single Image or News Article: Applying Class Concepts and Readings

Requirements of the Research Project

The research project centers on sustained academic analysis of a single image or news article of your choosing. Your job is to analyze an image (a photo, a painting, an advertisement, an Internet meme, literally any single image) or a news article (not just a general story or issue, but a single specific article published by a news organization) created within the last year, using the concepts and readings we have explored in class as the basis for your analysis. Do not simply summarize or re-report background information about the image or news article: instead, consider what new insights or realizations the application of class concepts to your news article or image would yield. Our class readings discuss many concepts and theories that will inform your analysis and argument, such as representation, semiotics, media, etc. However, for this research project you will also need to examine scholarly sources outside of course texts.

You will broaden and deepen your knowledge of your chosen image or news article by using peer reviewed academic journal articles: essays written by scholars for academic journals. A large portion of academic writing involves establishing what positions other researchers in the field have taken by citing and summarizing existing scholarly research. Wikipedia, other newspaper articles, and blogs are not sufficient academic sources. You must use at least one peer reviewed academic journal article.Contact me if you are uncertain if an article is an appropriate source. While there likely will not be any academic articles dealing with your image or news article in particular, there will be articles dealing with the issues your image or news article is connected to, as well as articles dealing with the types or categories of visual representation or news story your image or news article fits into.

Your typed (double-spaced) proposal of 200-250 words will introduce the image or news article you have chosen, the class concepts and/or readings which are related to it, and the general approach to analysis you will take in your paper. Consider the proposal an opportunity to begin to formalize your thoughts and analysis about the image or news article, and perhaps to draft a thesis statement in which you make an argument about the news article or image in relation to class material. The proposal should also include either the image itself or a link to the news article. The introduction of at least one peer reviewed journal article as part of the research process at this stage is optional, but will likely be helpful in planning your essay and pursuing further research. The proposal must include a Works Cited a list of all your sources formatted using MLA bibliographic citation. This should consist of the source of the image or news article itself, any academic journal articles you have found in your research, and any other background or related materials you plan on using.

I will be scheduling individual Zoom meetings of between 5 and 10 minutes with each student to discuss the structure and contents of your essay. You will be expected to answer questions about the news article or image itself, the arguments made in your essay, and your research materials. These interviews will be scheduled over e-mail shortly and will take place during regular class time on Tuesday, June 30th and Thursday, July 2nd (and possibly during office hours as well). Grades for both the essay and the interview will be provided shortly after the interview.

Proposal
-ability to clearly introduce and summarize your news article or image and the issues related to it
-selection of concepts/theories relevant to your chosen image or news article
-clarity and quality of writing in terms of style and mechanics
-correct use of MLA formatting and citation

Essay
-quality of research and critical thinking
-creation of a focused thesis statement making a clear claim about the image or news article using class materials
-effective support of thesis with textual evidence and research
-sustained application of class and research materials to image or article
-effective support of thesis with textual evidence and research
-clarity and quality of writing in terms of style and mechanics
-implementation of instructor's feedback on proposal to further develop your analysis
-correct use of MLA formatting and citation

Interview
-knowledge of and familiarity with your image or news article and the issues related to it
-ability to clarify or reframe essay material
-ability to respond to counter-arguments or critiques of your arguments
-ability to extrapolate ideas put forth in essay to other examples or situations
Remember to cite all sources at all stages of the project: failure to do so constitutes plagiarism and will result in a grade of 0%.