Home > Subjects > English > English level 2 > 2.6 Unfamiliar texts > Subject content > Reading visual text
- Subject: English
- AS: 90380
- Level: 2
- Credits: 3
- External
2.6 Read unfamiliar texts and analyse the ideas and language features
Reading visual text
Visual text uses a combination of visual features (pictures and graphics) and verbal features (words and language features) to get a message across to the reader. Examples of visual language include static image, posters, websites, and advertisements. To read a visual text you must spend time looking at the layout of the text, read all the important written text, and look for links between the visual and verbal features. Think about the purpose of the text and how the techniques help to communicate a message to the audience.
Key visual features
Layout, dominant image, repetition, colour, font, graphic, contrast. For an explanation see terms and definitions.
Key verbal features:
Alliteration, personal pronoun, pun, imperative, minor sentence, slogan, rhyme, repetition. See advertising language.
Visual language example question and answer
Here is an example of a possible examination question and answer to show the importance of analysing the text.
The visual text Kellogg's Coco Pops K* Pows (Word 1829KB) (scroll to page 4) has been used to answer the following question:
How do the different visual elements combine to suggest that this breakfast cereal will give young people energy?
This example discusses one element of the poster. It would be integrated into a discussion of other elements, as possible answers must discuss more than one feature:
- Achieve: The word 'K*Pows' is shaped like an exclamation mark. Exclamation marks are used for emphasis, in this case the word 'K Pows'.
- Merit: The word 'K*Pows' is shaped like an exclamation mark. Exclamation marks are used for emphasis, in this case to emphasise that the word 'K Pows' suggests 'exciting and explosive'.
- Excellence: The word 'K*Pows' is shaped like an exclamation mark. Exclamation marks are used for emphasis, in this case to emphasise that the word 'K Pows' suggests 'exciting and explosive'. The style of writing has movement lines like a comic book, this would appeal to a young audience.
See the following links for examples of visual language questions:
- Electrolux Advertisement is a quiz focusing on audience and purpose.
- Picture (go to page 3 of 90380, Word 1357KB) is an NZQA example
- Questions (go to page 3 of 90380, Word 45KB).
