1. Writing the Visual Response
How to Pull it All Together

2. Responding to an Image
The third writing assignment on the diploma is a Visual Response. They will give you a picture and ask you:
What idea does the photograph convey to you? Support your response with reference to specific details from the photograph.

3. Looking at the question, you realize that your response needs to have an idea and details.
Viewing and understanding the Visual Literacy PowerPoint will help you to identify and explain the different elements of visual texts.

4. Getting Ready
Before you begin to write, you need to study the picture.
Jot down what the image says to you, and identify the elements that convey this message.
It is not essential that you talk about every element, but 3-5 elements that you feel comfortable talking about and that truly convey the message of the image.
Most people know that they understand a few elements really well, and always talk about those. Choose the elements that work for you, and that you can confidently discuss and connect to theme.

5. 4 STEP BRAINSTORM
A key part of making sure you’re ready for writing this response, feeling confident in your discussion of the elements. Using the chart you used in your Visual Response Brainstorm Process Lesson, or one like it, you need to ensure that you have something legitimate to say about each element. Step 1: Identify the element Step 2: Brainstorm Associations with the element Step 3: State the Idea the element suggests Step 4: Explain and Describe the Effect of the Element

6. This image will be used as the discussion point of the following slides.

7. Introduction- 3 Parts
* Start your response with a statement that pinpoints the idea that you will discuss:
This photograph illustrates the idea of __________________. (Use theme word/central idea)
* Then briefly explain what is happening in the picture. What is the situation? Setting? Be sure to draw attention to the 3-5 elements that you will discuss in your response.
In this photograph, there is ____________. (picture summary)
* Then expand your theme word into the theme statement. (Essentially you need to tell the reader what the message of the image is. This is what you will be proving in your response.)

8. Intro Example
The photograph entitled “Homeless Person” taken by David Nunuk conveys the idea of misery. (Introduce the key word.) In the picture, a homeless man is sitting on a bench leaning on his shopping cart in front of a huge blue wall. Ironically, there is a dollar sign embedded in the wall and the billboard on the bench reads, “Let the good times roll…”. (Describe the picture - which elements you will discuss.) The photograph suggests that although there is misery and poverty in our world today, even in our own communities, most people turn a blind eye to it because they are too busy creating their own world of security and comfort. Often homeless people are left alone to endure their circumstance and given no chance to escape. (Expand the key word into a statement - What is the main message of the photograph?)

9. Development- Your Body Paragraph
* Now you have to support your theme statement with details from the photograph.
Be sure to explain what the detail is in the picture, and then explain what the detail means or symbolizes.
You should include 3-5 details or elements in your body paragraph, and for each one, simply write down steps 1, 3 and 4 from your 4 Step Brainstorm Process.

10. Quick Reminder of Elements You Can Look For
Color
Perspective
Frame
Light & Shade
Juxtaposition
Form/Shape
Line
Texture
Pattern
Motion
Subject (objects, people, etc.)

11. Development
In this image, the photographer has used the element of colour to convey his message. He has emphasized the different shades of blue on the wall behind the homeless man. The photographer’s use of colour suggests that the man in the photograph is immersed in pain and hopelessness. Blue is a colour that is associated with sadness, and the photographer’s choice to surround his subject with a wall of blue suggests that the man is consumed by this very emotion. The different shades of blue suggest that the homeless man may feel varying degrees of unhappiness, but is always in some way feeling sorrowful because of his life and circumstance. The photographer uses this element to emphasize what life without a home is like. His use of dull and solemn colour attempts to reveals the pain that this lifestyle can bring. (Element 1)The dollar sign on the seemingly immoveable wall suggests that freedom, in our society, comes only with money or financial success; the only way over the “wall of poverty” is with these things. However, the man in the picture clearly shows that not all people are able to achieve the security and freedom that money brings. The man is far away from the dollar sign , and the slogan “Let the good times roll…” which suggests that there is a barrier or wall preventing him from having “good times” and that these crucial possessions are out of his reach..(Element 2) Obstacles could possibly be his lack of skills or training, lack of opportunity or some kind of mental illness which prevents him from functioning in society. However, the biggest obstacle preventing this man’s success is people’s unwillingness to help the less fortunate. People are too caught up in making their “good times roll” that they do not want to give to others. The wall behind the man then is a symbol for the barrier that is created by people in society, the barrier which locks them in their better worlds and locks people like this man out. (Element 3) The bright white colour of the bench he sits on are juxtaposed with the dull, grey colours around the man. The man’s clothes are dark and dirty which shows his existence is miserable. Also, the man is resting his arm and his head on his shopping cart which indicates that he feels hopeless and overwhelmed. He is trapped and doesn’t know how to get out. Everything he owns is boxed and placed in his cart. This further symbolizes that his world is small and closed in. (Element 4)

12. Conclusion
End your response with 1 or 2 sentences that summarize your theme – remind your reader what idea your details proved.

13. Example Conclusion
The man will remain stuck in his homelessness if people are not willing to give up some of their riches to help others who may be unable to help themselves like the man seen in the picture.

14. Complete Response
The photograph entitled “Homeless Person” taken by David Nunuk conveys the idea of misery. In the picture, a homeless man is sitting on a bench leaning on his shopping cart in front of a huge blue wall. Ironically, there is a dollar sign embedded in the wall and the billboard on the bench reads, “Let the good times roll…”. The photograph suggests that although there is misery and poverty in our world today, even in our own communities, most people turn a blind eye to it because they are too busy creating their own world of security and comfort. Often homeless people are left alone to endure their circumstance and given no chance to escape. In this image, the photographer has used the element of colour to convey his message. He has emphasized the different shades of blue on the wall behind the homeless man. The photographer’s use of colour suggests that the man in the photograph is immersed in pain and hopelessness. Blue is a colour that is associated with sadness, and the photographer’s choice to surround his subject with a wall of blue suggests that the man is consumed by this very emotion. The different shades of blue suggest that the homeless man may feel varying degrees of unhappiness, but is always in some way feeling sorrowful because of his life and circumstance. The photographer uses this element to emphasize what life without a home is like. His use of dull and solemn colour attempts to reveals the pain that this lifestyle can bring. The dollar sign on the seemingly immoveable wall suggests that freedom, in our society, comes only with money or financial success; the only way over the “wall of poverty” is with these things. However, the man in the picture clearly shows that not all people are able to achieve the security and freedom that money brings. The man is far away from the dollar sign , and the slogan “Let the good times roll…” which suggests that there is a barrier or wall preventing him from having “good times” and that these crucial possessions are out of his reach.. Obstacles could possibly be his lack of skills or training, lack of opportunity or some kind of mental illness which prevents him from functioning in society. However, the biggest obstacle preventing this man’s success is people’s unwillingness to help the less fortunate. People are too caught up in making their “good times roll” that they do not want to give to others. The wall behind the man then is a symbol for the barrier that is created by people in society, the barrier which locks them in their better worlds and locks people like this man out. The bright white colour of the bench he sits on are juxtaposed with the dull, grey colours around the man. The man’s clothes are dark and dirty which shows his existence is miserable. Also, the man is resting his arm and his head on his shopping cart which indicates that he feels hopeless and overwhelmed. He is trapped and doesn’t know how to get out. Everything he owns is boxed and placed in his cart. This further symbolizes that his world is small and closed in. The man will remain stuck in his homelessness if people are not willing to give up some of their riches to help others who may be unable to help themselves like the man seen in the picture.