Digital Realities
In this activity, students will compose an essay or speech that explores how the contemporary use/overuse of images has changed modern perceptions of reality.
PHOTOGRAPHY LESSON 1:
ESSAY / SPEECH
½ class period (20-30 min) + written assignment or speech (optional 1-2 class periods)
- Art and Culture
Medium > Visual Arts
Subject Matter > Philosophy
- History and Social Studies
Themes > Culture
World > The Modern World
Themes > Globalization
- Literature and Language Arts
Genre > Essay
Place > Modern World
Place > American
- Critical thinking
- Cultural analysis
- Expository writing
- Discussion
- Evaluating arguments
- Literary analysis
- Media analysis
- Making inferences and drawing conclusions
- Oral presentation skills
- Persuasive writing and speaking
- Representing ideas and information orally, graphically and in writing
- Synthesis
- Technology
- Visual analysis
- Writing skills
- ELA Reading: 6-7
- ELA Writing: 1, 4-6, 9-10
- ELA Speaking & Listening: 1-2, 4-6
- HSS Reading: 6-9
- HSS Writing: 2, 4-6, 9-10
LESSON 1 HANDOUTS
- Allow additional time for peer-review, editing, and revision of work, or for students to evaluate the use of perspective, structure, style and tone in their finished pieces.
- Add a visual requirement, such as the use of images (for essays) or digital media (for speeches).
- Increase the minimum length requirement for the essays or speeches, asking students to incorporate current research on the contemporary use/overuse of images into their argument (see related websites and texts in extending the lesson for research tips).
- Publish class excerpts in the school newspaper or literary/art journal, or encourage students to submit their final pieces independently.