Nonfiction Reading: Introduction to Visual Media

Turn and talk in small groups: How is viewing nonfiction visual media (videos, interviews, etc.) similar and different from reading nonfiction texts?

Today we are going to watch an interview with Ishmael Beah, former child soldier andwriter of A Long Way Gone.

1. As you watch the 1^st time, pay attention to and take notes on the overall main idea and supporting details. What do you see and hear? Who or what is this video about? What does the producer want you to know about the topic?

I suggest making three columns for your notes. In the first column, as you note what you see and hear, include a lot of free space in between to fill in later.

2. As you watch the 2^nd time, pay attention to details you missed and think more critically about the video. What are your opinions and reactions? What does this part make you think/feel? Write more notes in the first column. After watching the video, fill in column 2.

3. As you watch a 3^rd time, begin to evaluate the text and make conclusions. Fill in any more notes in column 1 as you rewatch. After, fill in column 3 and write a paragraph conclusion.

Notes on Interview of Ishmael Beah by Katie Curic on CBS

1. Main idea and supporting details: Who or what is this video about? What does the producer want me to know? What do you see (images) and hear?	2. What are your inferences and opinions? What does the text make you think and feel? What do you notice about how it is organized and put together? Are there any loaded words and dramatic images? What is the purpose of this video?	3. What are your overall conclusions, questions, connections, and realizations? What does the text make you wonder?

4. Write a paragraph-long conclusion: As you did with the articles, synthesize or make sense of everything you just saw.

1. Ask yourself,
1. How has this text changed my thinking?
2. How does it compare and contrast to your life, other texts, and/or the world in general?
2. Use sentence starters such as:
1. After watching this video, I realized/concluded/decided/recognized/come to understand…
2. This text/video makes me think/reminds me…
3. This makes me appreciate/acknowledge…

Conclusion:

 5. Finally, repeat the process for another video, Invisible Children video “I Got Soul”

For more information on the non-profit group Invisible Children, go to their website. Watch the KONY 2012 video for more media on child soldiers.