Presentation for the "Introduction to Visual Literacy: Strategies for "Reading" Art" program offered by the Maine Humanities Council, October 2012

1. Introduction to Visual Literacy:
Strategies for “Reading” Art
by Justin Hoenke
Teen Librarian
Portland Public Library
@justinlibrarian
justinthelibrarian@gmail.com

2. WHY?
Great for those starting to
read: connecting words with
images/actions

4. WHY?
Sometimes people are better
visual learners...case in point,
your presenter!

5. Whether you like it or not, foreign expressions represent an integral part of the English language (and of many
other languages, too). Knowing the meaning and usage of the most used ones is very important. First of all
because it will enable you to understand pieces of text that include them. Secondly, because you might also need to
use those expressions on particular situations (avoid using them just to sound smart though). Below you will find 6
foreign expressions commonly used in English, enjoy!
1. De Facto
De facto is a Latin expression that means “actual” (if used as an adjective) or “in practice” (if used as an adverb).
In legal terms, de facto is commonly used in contrast to de jure, which means “by law.” Something, therefore, can
emerge either de facto (by practice) or de jure (by law).
And what of the plastic red bench, which has served as his de facto home for the last 15 years and must by now be
a collector’s item? (NY Times)
2. Vis-à-Vis
The literal meaning of this French expression is “face to face” (used as an adverb). It is used more widely as a
preposition though, meaning “compared with” or “in relation to.”
It’s going to be a huge catalyst in moving the whole process forward and it really strengthens the U.S. position vis-
a-vis our trading partners (Yahoo! News)
3. Status quo
This famous Latin expression means “the current or existing state of affairs.” If something changes the status quo,
it is changing the way things presently are.
Bush believes that the status quo — the presence in a sovereign country of a militant group with missiles capable of
hitting a U.S. ally — is unacceptable. (Washington Post)
4. Cul-de-sac
This expression was originated in England by French-speaking aristocrats. Literally it means “bottom of a sack,” but
generally it refers to a dead-end street. Cul-de-sac can also be used metaphorically to express an action that leads
to nowhere or an impasse.
But the code of omerta was in effect for two carloads of fans circling the cul-de-sac to have a look at the house.
(Reuters.com)
A cul-de-sac of poverty (The Economist)

6. Whether you like it or not, foreign expressions represent an integral part of the English language (and of many
other languages, too). Knowing the meaning and usage of the most used ones is very important. First of all
because it will enable you to understand pieces of text that include them. Secondly, because you might also need to
use those expressions on particular situations (avoid using them just to sound smart though). Below you will find 6
THIS MEANS foreign expressions commonly used in English, enjoy!
1. De Facto
De facto is a Latin expression that means “actual” (if used as an adjective) or “in practice” (if used as an adverb).
In legal terms, de facto is commonly used in contrast to de jure, which means “by law.” Something, therefore, can
VERY LITTLE TO
emerge either de facto (by practice) or de jure (by law).
And what of the plastic red bench, which has served as his de facto home for the last 15 years and must by now be
a collector’s item? (NY Times)
2. Vis-à-Vis
The literal meaning of this French expression is “face to face” (used as an adverb). It is used more widely as a
ME AND SORT OF
preposition though, meaning “compared with” or “in relation to.”
It’s going to be a huge catalyst in moving the whole process forward and it really strengthens the U.S. position vis-
a-vis our trading partners (Yahoo! News)
3. Status quo
This famous Latin expression means “the current or existing state of affairs.” If something changes the status quo,
MAKES MY
it is changing the way things presently are.
Bush believes that the status quo — the presence in a sovereign country of a militant group with missiles capable of
hitting a U.S. ally — is unacceptable. (Washington Post)
4. Cul-de-sac
This expression was originated in England by French-speaking aristocrats. Literally it means “bottom of a sack,” but
BRAIN HURT
generally it refers to a dead-end street. Cul-de-sac can also be used metaphorically to express an action that leads
to nowhere or an impasse.
But the code of omerta was in effect for two carloads of fans circling the cul-de-sac to have a look at the house.
(Reuters.com)
A cul-de-sac of poverty (The Economist)

8. IMAGES AND WORDS
COOPERATION MAKES IT HAPPEN!

10. ACTIONS SPEAK
LOUDER THAN
WORDS!

11. Try explaining
"AWKWARD
SILENCE"

15. HOW?
You start slow

16. Aim for graphic novels that are:
● Heavy on images

17. Aim for graphic novels that are:
● Heavy on images
● Not too many pages

18. Aim for graphic novels that are:
● Heavy on images
● Not too many pages
● Not part of a massive series

19. Aim for graphic novels that are:
● Heavy on images
● Not too many pages
● Not part of a massive series
● HAVE FUN! LAUGH!

20. A DAY
WITHOUT
LAUGHTER IS A
DAY WASTED
-Charlie Chaplin

22. WHO?

23. WHO?
FAB for English Language Learners!

25. WHO?
Reaching Reluctant Readers

27. GIVE THEM WHAT
THEY WANT
This is the principle we need to
adopt...

28. WHY?
If we give them what they want, then they
will follow through.
Their own choice=more personal
investment

29. HOW?

30. TOP TEN LISTS
The American Library Assocation (ALA)
and
The Young Adult Library Services Association
(YALSA)
ARE YOUR FRIENDS!

31. RECOMMENDED FOR
YOUNGER AGES
1. SMILE by Raina Telgemeier
2. ASTRONAUT ACADEMY by Dave Roman
3. The BONE series by Jeff Smith
4. JOHNNY BOO by James Kochalka
5. Any GARFIELD collection by Jim Davis

32. RECOMMENDED FOR
OLDER AGES
1. WATCHMEN by Alan Moore
2. IDENTITY CRISIS by Brad Meltzer
3. The SWAMP THING series by Alan Moore
4. THE NEW 52 collection by Various
Authors
5. Peepshow by Joe Matt

33. BIBLIOGRAPHY
I used a bunch of images and panels from the following
artists because I think they are really awesome:
Raina Telgemeier
Dave Roman
Faith Erin Hicks
Gene Luen Yang
Alan Moore
Dave Gibbons
Joe Matt
John Porcellino
I hope they don't mind. PS: buy their books

34. LET'S BE FRIENDS!
justinthelibrarian@gmail.com
justinthelibrarian.com
@justinlibrarian