Photo Essay Project
A photo essay is using pictures to tell a story. The purpose is to take a limited number of photos ,
and use the photo to tell a story. For this assignment, the story will be the theme of your final
essay. For example, if you wrote about teen driving, you would use pictures of teens to show the
story form the getting a license, to driving, having fun with friends, and getting into an accident.
The style of the essay could also show a problem or used as an appeal to a call of action. The
purpose is to allow the audience to see the main point of your paper. This all takes place in a
time span of 3-4 minutes. To make the essay more meaningful it will be set to music.
A photo essay uses pictures to tell the story, but some words can be added. This might be a
statistic or a short caption. Sometimes one word is used to show the message. Words are used to
enhance and not create. The success of the photo essay is the photos must tell the story or deliver
the message.
Assignment Requirements:
 Use the theme of the “Take a Stand Essay” to create a lasting impression on the audience
to tell a story of create a lasting impression on the audience. Use pathos to touch the heart
and emotions.
 The presentation should have 20 slides and last about three minutes.
 The slides should include:
o Title slide includes the title of the project, your name, date, Class, and Instructor
o Slides 2 – 18 tells the story. Here are some types of photos
 The lead Photo – Captures the audience’s attention (This should be the
first slide)
 The Scene – Sets the stage and describes the scene (second slide)
 Detail Photos - These should focus on one element per slide
 Signature Photo – Summarizes the situation (The photo that says it all.)
 The Clincher Photo - The last photo that evokes the emotion you want the
views to walk away with.
 Source: http://www.collectivelens.com/blog/creating-photo-essay
o Slide 19: Ending slide- This needs to use the words, “The End” and have a
dramatic picture
o Slide 20: List of references for the pictures
o The presentation can be completed in PowerPoint, Prezi, Movie Maker, or any
other program that creates a presentation. If using something other than
PowerPoint or Prezi, please burn the presentation to a CD and present as a standalone video. You may upload your presentation to YouTube.
o Music must accompany the presentation. Please choose a song that fits the theme.
 The photo essay will be presented on Tuesday, Week 4 . If absent, please email the
presentation by 9:00 A.M..
Photo Essay Rubric
Criteria
The presentation has a minimum of 20
Slides.
The photographs demonstrate a variety of
images and perspectives.
All elements, pictures, words, graphics
contribute to the overall meaning of the project.
The photos are presented in a slide show and
have a professional quality.
The photographs revolve around a specific
theme.
The pictures convey the message or tell the
story. This includes the lead, scene, details,
portraits, signature, and clincher.
The Photo Essay has a title page with the title,
name, date, class, and instructor
The Photo Essay has an ending page
Spelling and grammar is correct
Transitions are used between the slides
Music is used with the presentation.
The presenter gives a brief overview of the slide
presentation
Total Points
Points
/30
/20
/15
/10
/40
/50
/5
/5
/10
/5
/10
/10
/200