How both teachers and students can use photography in writing courses or projects.

1. PHOTOGRAPHY use
in WRITING assignments
Jessica Cole
Instructional Designer

2. 1. Teachers:
They can be used as
writing prompts
(Balsley, n.d.; McKenzie, 1996; Tachibana,
2010).
When photographs are
created (or selected) by...
2. Students:
They can supplement
writing or be used in a
photo essay
(Balsley, n.d.; McKenzie, 1995; Sidaway, 2002).

3. TEACHER PHOTOS
Writing Prompts

4. “Every photo is a story after all, and
despite a photo's often literal
representation of the world, it
invites myriad interpretations.
-Tachibana,
2010

5. Describe the characters
Include details not shown in the image.

6. Describe the setting
Add imagination.

7. Tell a story
▷ Spark ideas.
▷ See multiple
interpretations.

8. For More Inspiration,
See:
▷Visual Writing Prompts
http://visualprompts.weebly.com/view-all.html
▷150 Amazing Images for Your Next
Writing Session
http://www.slideshare.net/kevcummins/150-amazing-
writing-prompts-pictures

9. 2.
STUDENT PHOTOS
Essay/Story + Photos

10. Enhance essays
& stories
▷ Students select or
create their photos.
▷ This adds creativity
to writing.
▷ Visuals aid in
memory.

11. “I’ve learned that people will forget
what you said, people will forget
what you did, but people will never
forget how you made them feel.
-Maya Angelou

12. Emotion
Visuals may heighten emotion.

13. Add historical context
Visuals offer historical cues.

14. Enhance essays
& stories
▷ Encourage creativity
through added
photos.
▷ Visuals aid in
memory.
▷ Visuals add emotion.
Enhance writing with
relevant visuals:
▷ Historical landmarks
▷ Architecture
▷ Landscape
Location

15. IN SUMMARY

16. Use photographs as writing
prompts!
CharactersSetting Plot

17. Encourage photos with writing
Show & Tell
Real places,
people, &
things.
Emotion
Make a
memorable
impact.
Memory
Link visuals
to the facts
or story.

18. References
Anonymous.(n.d). Why visualization aids memory. Retrieved from
http://www.memory-improvement-tips.com/memory-visual.html
Balsley, J. (n.d.). Integrating photography into the common core. Retrieved
from https://www.theartofed.com/2013/04/25/integrating-
photography-into-the-common-core/
McKenzie, B. D., & Hurt, J. (1995). Integrating photography into the
curriculum inexpensively: Student applications. School Library Media
Activities Monthly, 11(9), 36.
McKenzie, B. K., & Davidson, T. J. (1996). Photography & the curriculum..
School Library Media Activities Monthly, 13(2), 32.
Northrup, T. (2014). Tony Northrup's DSLR book: How to create stunning
digital photography.
Sidaway, J. D. (2002). Photography as geographical fieldwork. Journal of
Geography in Higher Education, 26(1), 95-103.
doi:10.1080/03098260120110395
Tachibana, G. (2010). Teachers use writing prompts to spark creativity.
Retrieved from http://www.nwp.org/cs/public/print/resource/3125
Note: All photographs in this presentation were taken by Jessica Cole, including
theatrical images (with permission from Scottsdale Musical Theater Company).