Close Reading

Sometimes, it's not until an item, such as a photograph, is examined in fine detail that new meanings arise. When cultural context, the artist's intentions, or even your own prior knowledge, are set aside a new way of "seeing" a thing can emerge. This is the purpose of a close reading, sometimes called an explication.

For this essay, you will conduct a close reading of a photograph chronicling the immigrant experience in America. Your goal is to delve deeply into a photo in hopes of uncovering new ways to understand it. You will have wide latitude in how you choose to engage with it. However, your focus should be concise, minute details. For example, instead of examining the Mona Lisa, as a whole, you'd consider only the hands.

As always, ground your analysis in a strong thesis, supported by evidence from the photo. Choose only one photo from THIS presentation.

Required:

• 500 words (2 pp.)
  
• MLA Style

Submission window: Wed 11.23-Mon 10.28 (via Canvas)