CHC2D
WW2 Culminating
Photo Essay Assignment
We’ve all heard that a picture is worth a thousand words.
Well, what about a group of pictures? Let’s find out. Now it’s your turn to create a photo-essay.
Using what we have learned, and what we will learn about Canada’s involvement in WW2, you will
pick a theme (a word, topic, or subject) that you feel captures the essence of WW2. You will work in a
small group (2 or 3) in order to complete this task.
Objectives
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Gather and organize evidence, while evaluating the intent of each piece
Identify a key point or idea
Synthesize your evidence, and make critical judgements about the content
Make a connections between each photo you have chosen, ultimately relating it back to one
theme
What does a photo-essay look like?
-
A photo-essay (or photographic essay) is a set or series of photographs that are
intended to tell a story or evoke a series of emotions in the viewer.
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Number of pictures: 10
Must somehow relate to the theme you have chosen
Must include the war at home and overseas
You must have a title slide for your photo-essay.
You must have a brief, three sentence explanation for each picture which outlines how your
choice of photograph is connected to the theme you have chosen
Your audience is your classmates and your teacher
You may use your own photographs or download them from the Internet – all images must be
cited using proper APA formatting.
-
IMAGE FROM A WEBSITE
Owner/author. (Publish date or n.d.). Title of image in italics.[ image's media – photograph, painting,
outdoor mural]. Retrieved from URL
How do I go about doing this?
Just like a written essay, you should brainstorm a topic, gather information, and use that information
in your essay – but your information will primarily be what’s provided through photographs. Your
photo explanations should support your thesis statement, and always relate back to the theme.
CHC2D
WW2 Culminating
Steps
1. Brainstorm a theme / subject / topic that relates to your understanding of WW2.
2. Produce a thesis: a statement which explains why you believe that the theme you have chosen
represents WW2.
3. Create, or gather images that fit your topic.
4. Create a draft of your “essay” to show to a classmate for feedback – for example, can your
classmate easily identify your thesis?
5. Revise your photo-essay by rearranging the photographs, or gathering other photographs to
include or substitute.
6. Create a final layout of your photographs using Google Presentation, or PowerPoint.
7. Double-check the assessment rubric (below) to make sure all criteria have been met.
Category
Knowledge
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4

Explanations
demonstrate a
limited
understanding of
unit content
Photos cover
minimal aspects of
the war (e.g. only
the battles)


Explanations
demonstrate
considerable
understanding of
unit content
Photos cover a
variety of topics in
regards to World
War 2

Theme is barely
connected to
course emphasis on
Canadian identity
and / or conflict
and change and
requires significant
development
Connection
between the
photos chosen and
the theme is
limited
Layout, photos
chosen, and text
are organized with
limited clarity
Content requires
further editing and
revision due to
several
grammatical errors
Information is cited
using APA format,
but with several
errors

Theme is clearly
connected to
course emphasis on
Canadian identity
and / or conflict
and change
Connection
between the
photos chosen and
the theme is well
established

Layout, photos
chosen, and text
are organized with
considerable clarity
Content is
presented clearly
with virtually no
grammatical errors
Information is cited
using APA format,
with virtually no
errors


Thinking


Communication








Explanations
demonstrate some
understanding of
unit content, but
need more
evidence to be
clearer
Photos cover some
aspects of the war,
but more variety is
needed
Theme is
somewhat
connected to
course emphasis on
Canadian identity
and / or conflict
and change
Connection
between the
photos chosen and
the theme is
present but needs
development
Layout, photos
chosen, and text
are organized with
some clarity
Content requires
further editing and
revision due to a
few grammatical
errors
Information is cited
using APA format,
but with a few
errors










Sample Photo Essay - http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/depression/photoessay.htm
Explanations
demonstrate a
thorough
understanding of
unit content
Photos selected are
unique in their
content and varied
in their coverage of
aspects of World
War 2
Theme thoroughly
connects to course
emphasis on
Canadian identity
and / or conflict
and change
Connection
between the
photos chosen and
the theme is
creative and unique
Layout, photos
chosen, and text
are organized
creatively and
clearly
Content is
presented with no
grammatical errors
Information is cited
using APA format,
with no errors