Writing Exercise #2: Semiotics

Description

There's a great deal of material on the analysis and interpretation of images contained in the reading for next week. Some of it you should find directly applicable to our discussion of visual culture. We'll go over the fundamental concepts and techniques in class and apply these semiotic tools to a wide range of images and objects.

In order to give you a head start on the second writing assignment and to stimulate your thinking about the interpretation of images, I'm giving you two weeks to work on this project. This will enable you to keep a practical example in mind as you're reading Underwood's survey of semiotics.

Your assignment is to use some of the techniques and concepts covered by Underwood in an interpretation of this ad from "The Meaning of Life", Diesel Ad Campaign, Fall-Winter 1999. Make use of the semiotic tools you find most valuable in helping your reader grasp the various meanings associated with this ad and how it works as a communicative device.

Deadline

Essays are due at the beginning of class on Monday 7 November 05. Late papers will not be accepted.

Format

All papers must be no longer than 3 pages, typed on a computer and run through a spell-checker.

You will be evaluated on the form and content of your papers, so pay close attention to both appearance and grammar. All papers must be double-spaced with one-inch margins. If you need additional instructions or guidelines, see me.

You should also review the policy on academic honesty and let me know if you have questions about it.

T. R. Quigley