Analyzing Infographics: A Guide to Writing an Analysis Essay

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 6

Analyzing Infographics: A Guide to Writing an Analysis Essay

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson you will be able to analyze and write an analysis essay about infographics.

This slide should emphasize the main goal of the lesson.

What do you already know about
infographics and how they can be
used to convey information?

Infographics

Discuss and write down your answer to this question: 

What do you already know about

infographics and how they can be

used to convey information?

What are Infographics?

A definition: 

Infographics are visual representations of data or information that can be used to communicate complex ideas succinctly.

Introduce the concept of infographics and provide a definition.

Why are Infographics Useful?

Infographics are useful because they can make complex information more accessible and easier to understand.

Explain why infographics are important and how they can be helpful in conveying information.

Types of Infographics

There are several types of infographics, including informational, timeline, statistical, and process infographics.

Explain why infographics are important and how they can be helpful in conveying information.

Elements of an Infographic

Infographics typically include a title, introduction, body, and conclusion, as well as visual elements like charts, graphs, and images.

Explain the different elements that make up an infographic and how they work together to convey information.

Analyzing Infographics

design.

When analyzing an infographic, you should consider the purpose, audience, and effectiveness of the visual elements and overall impact.

Explain how to approach analyzing an infographic and what to look for.

Annotate your paper 1 

design.

1. In the left-hand margin write down, for each part of the infographic, what the main idea, message or topic is. You can pick out a word from the text or use your own words and ideas.  

2. In the right-hand margin identify visual and written techniques that are used to persuade, inform and entertain. 

Explain how to approach analyzing an infographic and what to look for.

Writing an Analysis Essay

When writing an analysis essay about an infographic, you should provide a brief summary, identify the purpose and audience, analyze the visual elements, and evaluate the effectiveness of the overall design.

Explain the steps involved in writing an analysis essay about an infographic.

Read the example paper 1 response 

Read the paper 1 response carefully. 

Annotate the text with comments, ideas and improvements.

Consider carefully the guiding question.

Give the paper 1 a grade and examiner's comments for each of the 4 criteria. 

Then check the grading. 

Explain the steps involved in writing an analysis essay about an infographic.

Infographics central question 

1. How does the structure and style of a text affect meaning? 

Language

style

Visuals 

Tone

Step 1: Summarize

The first step in writing an analysis essay about an infographic is to provide a brief summary of the information presented.

Explain how to write a summary of an infographic.

Step 2: Identify Purpose and Audience

The second step is to identify the purpose of the infographic and the intended audience.

Explain how to determine the purpose and audience of an infographic.

Step 3: Analyze Visual Elements

The third step is to analyze the visual elements of the infographic, including charts, graphs, and images.

Explain how to analyze the visual elements of an infographic.

Step 4: Evaluate Design Effectiveness

The final step is to evaluate the effectiveness of the overall design of the infographic in conveying the intended message.

Explain how to evaluate the effectiveness of an infographic's design.

Infographic response Crit A

2 out of 5: The interpretation is not “satisfactory.” Instead, there is some understanding of the literal meaning and some references are appropriate. However, the infographic is not a “warning” to potential parents. Thus, the interpretation that this is a way to encourage more responsible parenting is off-base and not grounded in a solid reading of the text. As well, an audience of the “general population” in body paragraph two is too, well, general. Finally, the way in which the limitation paragraph is framed makes it gratuitous. For all of these reasons, a 2 is the best fit for this criterion.

Infographic response Crit B

2 out of 5: There is not enough of a discussion of the writer’s choices and their effects. The student tries. But the response is reliant on description with only some appropriate analysis here and there - see the first body paragraph as well as the ethos, logos, and pathos paragraphs. Enough is done here to award a 2 and not a 1 though.    

Infographic response Crit C

2 out of 5: There is a lack of focus on the question as the essay develops. There is some organization to the overall response, but the focus of the analysis is questionable.

Infographic response Crit D

3 out of 5: This response sits between a 2 and a 3. Either could be argued and justified. There are enough errors and inconsistencies present to award a 2. However, the overall tone and style is generally appropriate and so a 3 was ultimately awarded. 

Practice Analyzing Infographics

In groups, analyze and write an analysis essay about an infographic of your choice.

Provide an opportunity for students to practice analyzing infographics and writing analysis essays.

Present Analysis Essay

Present your analysis essay to the class and receive feedback.

Give students the opportunity to share their analysis essays and receive feedback from their peers.

Conclusion

Infographics are powerful tools for communicating complex information, and analyzing them can help us better understand their purpose and effectiveness.

Wrap up the lesson and emphasize the importance of infographics and analysis essays.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.