2.2.1 Understanding Visual Images

Much like an electrician may be faced with a wide assortment of electrical challenges (housing, marine, factory, hospital, and mechanical), you will be faced with various forms of text challenges in English. One you have already encountered is written text, specifically figurative language effects used to communicate meaning or purpose (theme).

An electrician uses various tools for each challenge; you use various tools or elements for decoding various types of text (visual, written, film, and poetry). Understanding how specific elements function in these texts is similar to understanding how specific tools work when building, repairing, or taking something apart.

Much "taking apart" is involved in understanding purpose or theme of images. As in written text, the purpose or theme of visual images is guided by the choices of the visual creator. By using various elements in the construction of an image, visual creators add complexity or deeper meaning to their work (photography, painting, or other graphic forms).

Consider how much visual information you sort through every single day, whether for learning, working, or being entertained. Being able to understand and interpret images is a valuable skill.