[1] First, you will need to choose a group of Americans on which you will be focusing your essay. I suggest choosing one from the following list:
Native Americans
Black Americans
Japanese Americans
Mexican Americans
German Americans
Italian Americans
Hispanic Americans
American Women (THIS ONE)
American Men
Working Class Americans
Wealthy Americans
You are not limited to these groups, but if you want to choose a different group you must get approval first to ensure that the scope is appropriate and so you’ll have enough resources to work with.
[2] You will want to locate a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 12 visual primary sources that will form the bedrock of your visual essay. (I attached some sources the rest you can find on any site listed below these must be
PRIMARY sources.
You may use any of the resources in this course for the visual essay, including primary sources and secondary sources found in your Voices of Freedom student site, the chapter overviews, and/or the textbook. Additionally, you may use sources from the following:
Smithsonian
National Archives
National WWII Museum
No other sources may be used without explicit permission first. When in doubt, ask!
Each exhibit must include a minimum of 8 primary [created during the time being studied] sources. These can be images, documents, videos, or audio, and should include a mixture.
[3] You will write sections of text that together comprise a thesis-driven and evidence based essay.
You will be responding to the following prompt: How did World War II impact [your chosen group]? The visual essay must contain an opening abstract paragraph that introduces the topic. In your response, you must address both changes [what changed for this group from before the war to after the war] and continuities [what stayed the same before/after the war] over time.
The text must total a minimum of 500-words. The essay must have an introduction that states the thesis and establishes a line of reasoning. The essay should be structured in a before, during, and after WWII style, with section breaks, and must also include a conclusion paragraph. DO use quotes to help break up the sections of your essay and as evidence for your thesis.
Use either footnotes or endnotes in Chicago Style to cite your sources. DO NOT USE IN TEXT CITATIONS.
Strong submissions will have 10-12 primary sources and about 750-1,000 words of text (excluding captions and citations).
[4] You will create an annotated bibliography in Chicago-style format.
An annotated bibliography is just a regular bibliography with annotations for each source. Divide the sources into two groups of primary sources and secondary source. Alphabetize each section.
Each annotation must explain the following:
How and why this text was useful to you in carrying out the assignment, what it contributed to your understanding and knowledge,
How you used it, where in the work it belongs or is used (indicate this in some way)
A sample annotated bibliographyActions
[5] You will arrange all the components to form a stunning visual essay that articulates your main argument and uses the visuals for support throughout.
I have created Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Sway templates that can be copied and modified for this assignment. Links are provided in the Resources section below.
Tech: You can use Microsoft Word for this, but it gets tricky trying to break up the text in a way that looks visually appealing. I, therefore, recommend using a program like Microsoft Sway, to which all FIU students have free access, to make this project. You can also create it as a website, or as an automated PowerPoint slideshow that runs automatically. If you have another program that you enjoy using you are welcome to use that as well. Most importantly, be creative!
Because the visual elements are doing the heavy lifting in this assignment, you will want to think about how you arrange them. Consider:
the sequence of images and how they relate to each other, the juxtaposition of one to the next, and how it stands in a series
the layout of the page in which the image(s) is placed, and the layout of the following and preceding pages
captions, including brief analyses, quotations, keywords, provocative questions, or statements
text integrated within the image or as part of the image (e.g. playing with typographic elements, the visual aspects of text)
Draft Requirements:
the submission must include the following:
Cover page/slide
Introduction to topic and chosen group + Thesis
Before, During, and After Sections (EX. How did the war affect American women before, during and after)
Conclusion
Annotated bibliography w/ minimum 6 primary sources and 2 secondary sources
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