Analyzing Images and Texts on Controversial Topics for Research Paper

The importance of using non-professional and professional sources for research

Write a research paper that analyzes both the visual rhetoric of a controversial image or set of images and the analyses of those images written by others. Then, you will state your own position, based on your analysis of these texts, both visual and written.

When you research for this essay, you will discover texts from a wide variety of sources. Some of the most important research you will do, especially to get the background of the images you are investigating, will involve using popular and non-professional websites, to get various interpretations of the images you have been assigned. When you analyze these sources to determine how valid their interpretations are, be sure to check each source for possible bias, and analyze each opinion for logic and reasonable evidence. Be as objective as you can when analyzing these resources.

However, you will also need to find and research at least three vetted sources for your essay research. Vetted or peer-reviewed resources are written and reviewed by professionals, experts and/or academics. You will use these resources as the authoritative voices to analyze various interpretations and form your own opinion. Note that even academic or professional sources contain bias, so check these sources also. However, be aware that you need to be careful about challenging professional and expert opinion without good reason. 

The Works Cited List for your research essay is due on Tuesday, May 26. 

Here is the list of topics (see the next page of this doc for the distribution of topics)

1. The Rodney King beating video. Use available stills, or make your own.

2. Controversial Images from The United Colors of Benetton advertising campaigns. Use at least three images.

3. Kevin Carter’s child and vulture photograph.

4. The moon landing photos of 1969: Did men actually walk on the moon? Use at least three images.

5. Sally Mann’s “Immediate Family” photos: use at least three images.

6. The photographic evidence for UFOs: use at least three images.

7. The 9/11 conspiracy photographs; use at least three images. Ex: the Rob Howard plane photo

Here is the distribution of topics list:

Topic 1: The Rodney King beating video

Samsam Abdi

Habiba Artan

Piper Buckley

Topic 2: Controversial Images from The United Colors of Benetton advertising campaigns. Use at least three images.

Jackson Dewar

Stevie Diamond

Alexis Hammel

Topic 3: Kevin Carter’s child and vulture photograph.

Bobby Kailey

Keanna Kamarous

Kim Le

Topic 4: The moon landing photos of 1969: Did men actually walk on the moon? Use at least three images.

Enrico Lopez

Luke Mans

Tobi Osho

Topic 5: Sally Mann’s “Immediate Family” photos: use at least three images.

Faiaz Rahman: 

Darline Rantun

Juan Rincon

Topic 6: The photographic evidence for UFOs: use at least three images.

Toni-Ann Rose

Stefan Stojsic

Bow Tompkins

Topic 7: The 9/11 conspiracy photographs; use at least three images. Ex: the Rob Howard plane photo

Jessica Tran

Naomi Walters

David Wilton