Photo Essay Project
While we all know the terminology of 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.
Proposal due Friday, September 15
Final Project due Wednesday, October 18
By creating a photo essay you will gain:

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)
Instructions
1.
2.
3.
Choose a subject matter or an idea for your photo essay and submit your proposal.
Collect your "data” by taking photos that may relate to your idea.
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.
Writing Considerations

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?

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?

Decide on format. How will you display your photo essay?
Evaluation

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)

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




that each photo and caption support your theme (thesis)
that you have an introductory and concluding photos and paragraphs
language and style
creative, thoughtful, and original work
Note: essay will not be graded on quality of photography but focus and clarity help. Please carefully
note: Foul, tasteless, and obscene scenarios WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. I will be the final arbiter
of what is acceptable. There are no appeals.
Potential problems

Since you have 7 weeks to complete the final draft of this assignment, I imagine that you
will be able to borrow a camera or arrange to share with a classmate. You may work with a partner
or alone as you choose. Partners will receive the same grade.

PLAN AHEAD--develop photos with enough time to retake if necessary.

For any other problems, please contact me far in ADVANCE of the due date.
Proposal for Photo Essay Project : Proposal due Friday, September 15.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Describe your subject matter or idea for your photo essay.
What is your rationale for choosing this subject or idea?
When and where do you plan to take the photos?
What are some potential problems that you might encounter and how can you avoid
them?
Analyzing Photo Essays
There are several photo essays on the Internet. Please be aware that you may find some material
objectionable and will need to find other sites. I am not responsible for where your search may lead
you. Use the following questions to guide your analysis.
1.
2.
3.
4.
What is the topic of the essay?
Who is the intended audience for this essay?
Is there an identifiable theme that links the photos together? What is it?
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?
By Professor Suzanne Blum (Columbia College Chicago) based upon an idea by Debra Parker.