1. Analyzing American Images

2. How to Analyze Images as Text
Viewer: As the viewer, what are the thoughts and emotions the images created? What are positive and negative feelings? How does the creator achieve these reactions in the viewer? How does the creator associate connotative meanings in with the images?

3. How to Analyze Images as Text
Media: What media (painting, sculpture, website, graph, etc.) is used to present the images? How does the media type influence the viewer’s interpretation of the message? How would the message change if the media changed? Is there other media associated with this visual that the viewer is encouraged to see? How does the creator persuade the viewing that other media?

4. How to Analyze Images as Text
Characterization: How are people portrayed in the images? How is culture portrayed through the characters? Do the characters represent different races, genders or ethnicity? Why or why not?

5. How to Analyze Images as Text
Culture: What emotions does the visual image induce? Are these the emotions that it intends to evoke? What cultural values does the visual appeal to? What does this tell the viewer about humanity, society, culture?

6. How to Analyze Images as Text
Light/Color: What colors are used in the images? What colors do your eyes see first? Does this use of color have symbolic meaning? As the viewer, how do you know this? What mood or tone does the color scheme express to the viewer?

7. How to Analyze Images as Text
Design: What do your eyes notice first? Why? How is the building, landscape, setting structured? What is the significance of displaying the image this way? Where are the images located in the visual: foreground, background, left, center, right, etc.?

8. How to Analyze Images as Text
Message: What is the message the creator is trying to send? Are they successful? How would the message change if the visual was different? What are the details in the visual that constructs an argument for the viewer? What argumentative purpose does the visual image convey?

9. How to Analyze Images as Text
Creator: Why was the visual created? What is the creator’s attitude toward the image? Does knowing the creator effect the viewer’s interpretation of the message?

10. SPATER: A method for analyzing visual media
1. S – Subject: Analyze the subject of the image. Explore the possibility of a larger, implied subject beyond just the immediate, obvious subject itself. Discuss the context / occasion of the image.

11. SPATER: A method for analyzing visual media
2. P – Purpose: Define the implied and /or explicit purpose of this image. Remember that purpose must go beyond informing and must be connected to a specific action. Examine any political implications of the image. Could the image be considered propaganda? Analyze how the image furthers an agenda.

12. SPATER: A method for analyzing visual media
3. A – Audience: Identify the forum (magazine, newspaper, website) for which the image was created. Analyze how the original placement of the image is connected to audience. Determine whether the audience has changed and / or expanded over time. Describe the characteristics of the primary and secondary audience.

13. SPATER: A method for analyzing visual media
4. T – Tone: Analyze the tone that the creator (photographer / artist / cartoonist) of the image has toward his / her subject. Explain how the tone is communicated to the audience.

14. SPATER: A method for analyzing visual media
5. E – Effect: Analyze the intended effect the image has on the audience. Explore the possible unintended effects of the image.

15. SPATER: A method for analyzing visual media
6. R - Rhetorical Devices / Strategies: Analyze the rhetorical devices (strategies) and appeals (ethos, logos, pathos) implied or made explicit in the image. Explain how those appeals function