Brainstorming: Looking at the two icons you’ve brought to class, consider which icon allows you to
make more types of observations. In other words, which icon will afford you more opportunities to “see”
the icon in various ways? Once you’ve selected the icon you’d like to work with, generate as many
observations as you can, and fill them into the chart below. Then, make inferences and connections to
culture based on the observations you’ve made. If you cannot develop an inference or cultural
connection for every single observation, that’s okay - just skip it and move on to the next one.
Observations
Inferences
Cultural Connections
Assessing your Brainstorm
- If you find that you are unable to make an inference based on one of your observations, what does that
tell you about the role that detail should play in your essay?
- If you find that multiple observations support one specific inference or cultural connection, what does
that tell you about the role that detail should play in your essay?
- Highlight the observations, inferences and cultural connections that seem most relevant to the way
you’re beginning to see your icon as representing the culture that creates and produces it. In other
words, what does your analysis reveal to you about the connection between your icon and culture?
Brainstorm Feedback
Pass your chart to a partner. Read your partner’s observations, inferences, and cultural connections and
answer the following questions.
1. Identify the different types of observations they made of their iconic image. Then, list the types
they’ve missed, if any.
2. Does the connection between their observations, inferences and cultural connections make sense?
a. Write down which lines of thinking make the most sense/are the most convincing:
b. Write down which lines of thinking could be easily challenged and explain why:
3. Is your partner developing ideas about this iconic image that are new and interesting? (Think of
how Updike challenges our familiar notions of Mickey Mouse). Are there any suggestions you
have about “ways of seeing” this iconic image that your partner has yet to explore?
4. What concept do you see emerging about the way the iconic image represents the culture that
creates and values it based on the student’s analysis? In other words, given this brainstorm, what
claim do you see this student being able to make in the draft?
Handling Peer Feedback
Look at the comments your partner made about your iconic image brainstorm. Based on this feedback,
continue your analysis of your icon and work toward forming a tentative claim about what you think your
icon represents about the culture that creates and celebrates it: