How to describe visual documents

Here are some questions you should ask yourself before dealing with a visual document.

( How are the different elements placed within the document?

on the left ( side)

on the right (side)

In the background

In the foreground

on either side / on both sidesB. STRUCTURE

What?

- It consists of. . . / It is composed of. . . /

It is made up of . . . (2/3 parts)...

- There is a caption / a title /

a text / a bubble - It shows. . . / It represents . . .

- It is a close-up ...

How are the different elements placed within the document? (( see below)

- The scene takes place in. . .

- There is / are ... in the middle ...

3. Describe the characters, the objects, the

setting.

- Colours? Clothes? Expressions?

Attitudes? Activities? (=present continuous)

A. INTRODUCE

1. What is the nature of the document?

- a cartoon / a painting / an advertisement (for...) / the cover of a book / a colour photograph /

a photograph in black and white / a drawing / a poster / a strip cartoon / ...

2. Who is the author / the cartoonist /

the photographer / ... ?

- It was written / painted / drawn / created / taken by...

- It is an extract from...

- The name of ... isnt mentioned.

3. Is there a date?

- It was written / painted / drawn / created / taken in ...

- The date isnt mentioned. / We dont know when this ... was published / created . drawn...

4. Is there a caption / a slogan / a logo / a brand name underneath (or next to ...) the document?

C. DESCRIBE AND ANALYSE

1. What can you guess?

- This document shows that...

- The message behind the document is that

- It denounces / criticizes / deals with ... It seems as if ...

- The woman seems to/looks/looks like to ...

- Maybe/Perhaps ...

- I think ...

... might be a symbol of ...

The atmosphere is peaceful/depressing ...

2. What is the authors / the photographers / the cartoonists intention? What is the aim of the document?

- The author wants to ...

- The document aims at showing that...

- It is meant to make people react about...

D. REACT AND CONCLUDE

How do you feel about the document and its theme?

- I find this document really interesting / convincing / strange / surprising / frightening / terrible / funny / ...

-It makes me think of / The first photo reminds me of my own childhood

- I like / I dont like ...

I agree with ... / I disagree with ...

- In my opinion / To my mind / To me /

I think (that) / Personally ...

- We can conclude / infer / suppose that...

In the top

left-hand corner

In the top

right-hand corner

At the top

PREPOSITIONS OF PLACE:

At / in / on / between / among / under / above / below / over / behind / opposite / in front (of) / next to / near / by / on top of / up / down / into / onto / off / along / past / across / through

In the middle

At the bottom

In the botttom

right-hand corner

In the bottom

left-hand corner