In many of your college classes, you’ll have the opportunity to read and write about images, such as photographs or paintings, as well as multimodal texts, such as advertisements, maps, videos, or Web sites. Multimodal texts combine one or more of the following modes—words, static images, moving images, and sound—to explain information, pose arguments, and convey messages.

To analyze an image or a multimodal text, first you need to read it carefully and critically.

Reading images and multimodal texts actively

Previewing an image or a multimodal text

Annotating an image or a multimodal text

Conversing with an image or a multimodal text

Outlining an image or a multimodal text

Summarizing an image or a multimodal text

Analyzing an image or a multimodal text

Balancing summary with analysis for an image or a multimodal text

Drafting an analytical thesis statement for an image or a multimodal text

Writing guide: Analysis essay