Learn


Now that you have learned about some of the techniques visual text creators use in their work, it’s time to apply what you know.  Here are some basic strategies for analyzing any type of image you see.  If you can memorize the basics of this strategy, you can use it when you WRITE about visuals as well.

Applying “What? So What? Now What?” to a Visual



Use the information in the following chart to help you analyze a visual text.  The guide is applied to a sample text on the following pages.   Click here to view a tutorial that guides you through these pages on analyzing visuals.



 What?

  • details
  • techniques
  • effects
  • main idea
  Consider the visual text:

  • First, look at the texts, and take in what you see.  
  • What is its impact on you—on your ideas and mood?
  • Where is your eye drawn?  What causes your eye to be pulled in that direction? (consider:  focus, colour, contrast, lines, angle, lighting, framing, and composition).
  • What seems to be the main idea communicated in the text?
 So What?

  • personal connection
  • other texts
  • other people
  Explore relevance of the text to you and others:

  • How do you relate personally to ideas in this text, or how has this text affected you?
o    How do you feel about the issue(s) it raises?
o    What memories or experiences does this text prompt?
o    What connection can you make between this text and other people you know (or know of)?
o    What connection can you make with other texts?
 Now What?

  • world issues
  • who’s affected?
  • theme statement
  Explore relevance of the text to society or to the world:

  • How can you state this image’s theme (or universal message about the human condition) in one sentence?
  • How are the author’s ideas relevant in the world today?
o    How are these ideas unfolding in the world around us?
o    Where are these ideas occurring?  When?  Why?
  • Are the issues important to all people?
o    If so, in what way are they important?
o    Who might be affected by these issues?