vce english language analysis: analysing visuals
Post on 23-Feb-2017
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ANALYSING VISUALSLanguage Analysis
VISUALS YOU MAY HAVE TO ANALYSE
Cartoon
Photograph
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Graphs or other statistical representations
CARTOONSContext: What is the issue to which the cartoon/text refers?
Comment: Is the cartoon is making a political or social comment?
Contention: What is the cartoonist’s contention?
Tone: Is the cartoon’s tone serious, funny, dark and gloomy, witty or biting?
Components: What are the different elements of the cartoon?
CARTOONS
Use of Irony:
- Situational irony: i.e. absurd, ironic situations based on coincidence or unexpected events.
- Linguistic irony: the use of ironic language such as puns, sarcasm and hidden messages
CARTOONSSymbols: Cartoonists use symbols to convey complex ideas with an economy of detail. In general terms, a symbol is anything that stands for something else. Obvious examples are flags, which symbolize a nation; the cross is a symbol for Christianity; a light bulb is a symbol of inspiration in acartoon. What symbols are used to convey the cartoonist’s contention? Explain what the symbol means in the context of this particular cartoon.
Intended Impact on the Viewer: How does the cartoonist position the viewer to think, feel and act
COLOUR
Colours can be separated into two groups – warm colours and cool colours. Warm colours
including red, orange and yellow may be used to evoke feelings of comfort and warmth. It can
also be used to express anger and embarrassment. Meanwhile, cool colours
including blue, green and purple may represent calm and tranquility. Otherwise it can mean
sadness and misery.
SIZE
Size is an important element in cartoons and one that is often quite obvious. Investigate:
♣ Is anything disproportioned?
♣ Exaggerated? Under-exaggerated?
♣ What is large and what is small?
HOW IS SIZE IMPORTANT HERE?
LABELLING
Often a cartoonist will label something that they think the average reader won’t know about (eg: who a person is)
♣ What is labeled?
♣ What do the labels say?
♣ Do the labels tell us the situation? Person? Time change?
FOCUS
The focus of a cartoon can indicate the main issue or situation.
♣ What is in focus?
♣ What is in the foreground and background?
Many cartoonists include a small signature in their works, for example, Mark Knight uses a pig, which is usually making a statement about the issue. Don’t ignore the small things
MARK KNIGHT’S PIG
ANGLES
Angles often provide readers an indication of the status of particular people or things.
If the angle is sloping down, then it creates an image of a smaller person or item. This indicates weakness, inferiority and powerlessness.
An angle sloping up towards a person or item provides it with power, superiority and authority.
A straight-on angle can represent equality.
FACIAL EXPRESSIONS
Facial expressions are key to the character’s thoughts, feelings and emotions.
♣ What facial expressions are used?
♣ Do they change (sequential cartoons)?
♣ How do expressions compare to another’s expression?
♣ Is it an expression we expect?
PHOTOGRAPHS
Photographs are often used to help communicate a point of view because they are typically more immediate.
You can often find the features previously mentioned about cartoons. Eg: colour, facial expression, focus etc.
BALI 9: NOW
COMPOSITION
Refers to where and how things are positioned in a photograph.
Are they large and dominant?
Are they small figures?
Are they in the centre, to the side etc?
BALI 9
BALI 9 THEN
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Contain a combination of visual and written techniques, ensure that you analyse them all
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