We have covered the basic components of essay writing. You know about compelling thesis statements, gripping introductions and conclusions, unified, organized supporting paragraphs, clear sentences, and graceful transitions. While we all agree on the terminology of these essay components, they often remain somewhat fuzzy as concepts when it comes to actually writing an essay. In this assignment, you will use a visual context to develop a better understanding of the ingredients of essay writing and to focus your descriptive and observation writing.
Instead of just writing an essay, you will “show” an essay with photos and write a text to accompany the photos. You will work with the interplay of textual and visual expression to establish and substantiate a thesis based on your observations.
 a new perspective: this project will prompt you to consider the "non-linear" aspect of the writing process (prewriting, drafting, revising, polishing),
 practice using several writing strategies (choosing a subject, determining your audience, identifying a theme, collecting and compiling information, supporting your theme by choosing your content, organizing your information, focusing your material, creating an introduction and conclusion, practicing concise & meaningful word-choice, polishing your presentation)
1.
Choose a subject matter or an idea for your photo essay.
2.
Collect your "data” by taking several photos that may relate to your idea.
3.
Organize your photos by determining an introduction, body, and conclusion. Try to photographically follow the format of topic sentence, concrete detail, and commentary.
4.
Write a concise, sharp, meaningful text for each photo or photo chunk.
5.
Choose a title for your essay that expresses your theme (thesis).
6.
Prepare a visual display for presenting your photo essay to the class.
Can be a pod cast, a power point or a poster board display.
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Plan the connection between textual and visual components. How will you use both your writing and your photos to communicate your thesis to your audience?
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Consider your style. How can you best communicate your message to your audience and still create an essay that reflects you as a writer/creator?
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Decide on format. How will you display your photo essay?
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 content (interesting subject matter for you and your audience) that your photo essay and the accompanying text work together to demonstrate a clear theme (thesis)
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 the thesis is well-developed and substantiated your essay is appropriately constructed for your intended audience that you have an organizational strategy that is justified by the arrangement of photographs and text

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 essay)
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 that each photo and caption support your theme (thesis) that you have an introductory and concluding photos and paragraphs language and style timely completion and preparation for presentation (including visual display of creative, thoughtful, and original work revision demonstrated in your portfolio
Note: essay will not be graded on quality of photography but focus and clarity help. Please carefully note: nothing gross or obscene
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1.
What is the topic of the essay?
2.
Who is the intended audience for this essay?
3.
Is there an identifiable theme that links the photos together? What is it?
4.
Is there an identifiable thesis for the essay (either explicitly stated in the text or obvious from the overall essay)? What is it?
5.
What does the author use as text description? explanation? quotations? a mixture?
6.
What is the purpose of the text in the photo essay (explain, describe, inform, persuade)?
7.
How does the organization of the essay (sequencing of photos and text) help the author accomplish that purpose?
8.
What do you like most about this essay? What do you like least?
9.
Has this analysis helped you plan for your own photo essay? In what ways?
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