Rhetorical analysis of a photo

The purpose of the Major Project in 1302 is to “read the book that’s not for you” and learn about someone who
is different from you.
Search online for contemporary or historical photographs that are related to the topic/author of your Major
Project book. (For example, if you are reading a memoir by a Native American author, you could search for
photos taken on Native American reservations, or at the recent Dakota Access Pipeline protests, etc.).
Select one interesting photograph. Find 1-2 credible internet sources that provide background information
(context) about the photograph AND/OR the issue that help you understand the photograph and its meaning.
These could be the article that goes with the photo or news, editorial, or historical articles.
Paper Organization
Your essay will be a rhetorical analysis of the photo you have selected.
Required Paper Outline
Introduction
General background information on the topic of the photo
Identify the photographer (if known), location, and date of the photograph
Thesis: What you think the photograph means (its message)
Body Paragraph 1: Contexts
Topic sentence-What is the photograph of? (Or claim to be of?)
Using the source, describe the historical, physical, social, and ethical contexts of the photograph (with in-text
citations!) –don’t just describe the photo
Body Paragraph 2: Notice & Focus/The Method
Topic Sentence-What is notable about the photo? (What did you notice? What caught your attention?)
Using Notice & Focus, what do you find most interesting, strange, and revealing about this photograph? Why?
Using The Method, what do you see repeating in the image? What strands do you see? What binaries do you
see? What anomalies do you see? What do you think they mean? 
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Body Paragraph 3: Main Signifiers
Topic Sentence: The three main signifiers in the photograph are X, Y, and Z.
What do each of these signifiers stand for? List at least 4-5 per signifier. Which do you think are the most
important, and why? (Make a bubble map to organize your thoughts)
Conclusion: What Does It Mean?
What do you think this photograph means? (Expand on thesis) What is its message? How can you tell?
What reaction or feelings was the photographer trying to create with this photo? Why do you think so?
How does this photograph help you better understand this topic?
Answer the SO WHAT question: Why is this topic/issue important for us to understand?
NOTES
Do some brainstorming (mind maps, freewriting, listing, etc.) on scratch paper—save to turn in!
Organize your thoughts into an outline so you have a writing plan. The sooner you organize your ideas into an
outline, the easier it will be to write the paper.
Note: DON’T DESCRIBE THE PHOTO! Remember that I’ll have it in front of me. Analyze analyze analyze!
Remember you are analyzing the photo. Stick to analysis and avoid writing an opinion essay about the event or
person(s) depicted in the photo. Opinion essays (or essays that do not meet the min. requirements of the
assignment, including min. word count) will not receive a grade higher than a D.