Free Response Self-Evaluation work for 3/25

Step One: Carefully read the three essays in your packet. As you read, evaluate the quality of the writing (but don't annotate the page!) Consider these factors:

Development: Intro with a clear thesis; multiple body paragaphs with supporting claims, evidence, reasoning

Effective thesis and supporting claims
Relevant evidence
Clear and insightful reasoning
Precise, effective word choice
Logical, effective organization
Clear sentences with transitions
Anticipation of other points of view

Step Two: The packet contains three essays: a high, medium, and low essay. On a piece of paper, describe:

What makes the high essay good? Describe strong elements (refer to the list above) the make this essay effective and refer to examples of these strengths.

What makes the medium essay "medium?" Describe strong elements and give examples, but then also discuss limitation or weaknesses that hinder the effectiveness of the argument or the clarity of the writing. Provide examples as you go.

What makes the weak essay weak?

Quiz Corrections: Set Two

Today, we will take some time to address the strengths and weaknesses of the test corrections we worked on previously.

Before you try to correct your answer, look at the question that you got wrong. Determine what information you need to provide in order to correctly answer the question.

When you write your test correction, you need to figure our what reasoning will explain why the correct answer satisfies the requirements of the question. Include discussion of specific word choices in the question, answer, and text and explain how this evidence proves the right answer is right.

OPTIC Image Analysis Assignment Part 1:

In this assignment, you will practice identifying and describing the image analysis elements addressed in the OPTIC notes we took.
Step 1: Select an ad and place it in the center of the 12x18 card stock I have provided.
Step 2: Provide a general Overview of the ad (what is being advertised, and how) directly above the image.
Step 3: Along both sides of your paper, identify:
Parts of the image,
Text in the ad, and
Interrelationships between different elements.

For each element identified,
a. Describe the distinguishing feature
b. Explain what this element does to add meaning to or develop the message of the image.
Step 4: Directly beneath the image, write a Conclusion statement identifying the thesis presented by the image and/or the story told by the elements to support the advertisement's purpose.

Guidelines for Analyzing Images -- OPTIC Elements

          Authors frequently use photos and video to make claims, bolster their credibility, and appeal to the audience's emotions.  Consequently, it is important to learn to become a critical viewer of these images, just as we must become critical readers of the arguments we see.

          Humans take in a great deal of information from their environment simply by looking around and drawing conclusions from what they see.  This process is so natural and fundamental to human behavior that advertisers, political campaigns, and many others have made a close study of how we assess images around us; they then use this information to carefully craft photos and video that are most likely to appeal to the audience. 

Overview:  Conduct a brief overview of the image.  Things that “jump out” at the reader are there for a purpose.  Graphic artists make sure their layouts draw the viewers’ attention to the most important, appealing, or message-dense elements of the image.

Parts:  What different elements are included in the image?  Break it down.  Everything in the image is there for a purpose. I’m going to give a long list of ideas here to show how detailed your consideration should be. However, some all, or none of these elements might be included in the image you’re considering. Just keep in mind that you’re looking for the details that were included to appeal to the viewer.

If you have an image of people doing something – Who are the people?  Age?  Ethnicity? Dress?

Body Type?  Relationship?  Physical proximity? Facial expression?  Where are they looking? Do they seem to be speaking? Posture?  Position in the image?  

What is the setting?  What are people doing?  What is going on in the background – especially if there are other people?  How many?

What time is it?  Season?  Weather?  Inside or not?  Terrain?  

Is there a product?  How is it portrayed?  Used?  Relationship to people?  Is it symbolic of something else? Active or passive?  Life size or not?

Other objects?  What is their relationship to the idea, argument or product?

In other words, what elements of the image seem significant? Why?

Text:  How much is there?  Does it make claims?  What is its purpose?  What kind of language/diction is used?  Does it use ethos, pathos, logos or all?

Interrelationships:  What are the relationships between the components of the image?  What has priority?  As the eye scans the image, what is seen first, second, third?  Are some things left out?  What are the relationships between the people in the image, and what “story” does this tell?  

Conclusion:  Why is this image appealing to the reader?  What message / thesis is intended?  What is the audience? Where would you expect to see it? What explicit information is intended to get your support?  What implicit information is intended to get your support?