Obama photo spurs firestorm with Clinton

Ben Amato | Educational consultant

"The camera captures light, our minds capture images." - Anonymous

Expository Writing--ELA Standards 1, 3 and 4
In a world connected by a 24 hour news media machine and the instant global reach of the internet, a single photo can cause a tremendous impact. Today's lesson looks at how an image can be carry more weight than the reality behind it.

Television Component
The CW 11 News at Ten had a story about the re-release of a news photo showing Presidential candidate Barack Obama dressed in traditional Somali tribal garb. View the video twice and then answer the Multiple Choice questions.

Newspaper Component
Today's Newsday contains the article "Obama photo spurs firestorm with Clinton." Using the facts and details it contains, complete the Comprehension Crossword Puzzle.

Language Arts Component
Critical lens

"I think that a photograph transmits much more signals from the past than the view of reality of that time."

Jerzy Tadeusz Lewczynski--photographer

When Obama visited his father's native land of Kenya, he donned a tunic and turban as a show of respect for the native culture there. Two years later, embroiled in a political dogfight for the Democratic nomination for President, this same photo now carries a different message, especially in a time where religious prejudice and bias runs rampant.

Situation
Based upon the details in the article and the video clip, write an EXPOSITORY ESSAY about the significance of the photograph and its re-release into the media. Why was it released? What does it symbolize? Does it help or hurt his campaign? Is what the image suggests more important than what it actually represents?

The Nature and Structure of an EXPOSITORY ESSAY
An EXPOSITORY ESSAY is a form of writing in which things are explained and described. The goal of this style is to inform the reader of some event, issue or discovery. Typical of all formal styles of writing, this essay will follow a set pattern of 3 paragraphs.

INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH

Expository essays begin with the TOPIC, where in short, direct sentences the issue or event is explained. Details about the SETTING and CAST are presented next. These sentences tell WHO the major players are and WHERE the story is being played out. The final sentence of this section is where the writer presents his/her OPINION on the issue. This is a "grabber" that makes the reader want to read the rest of the essay.

BODY PARAGRAPH
This section concerns the details of the issue. Using the information from the article and video clip, the writer should present the facts in a strong, direct manner. It is best to arrange details in an ORDER OF IMPORTANCE. Place the more significant details at the start of the essay and the lesser ones later in the paragraph. The aim of an expository essay is to inform the reader, but the writer should also try to bring the reader to their opinion by using logic and the evidence.

This section may be longer than just one paragraph, depending on how many facts and details are gathered from the article and television news story. Use the Comprehension Crossword Puzzle and the answers to the Multiple-Choice Quiz as a resource so you can make sure all the important facts have been included.

CONCLUSION
The final section of an expository essay should drive home the opinion of the writer. Repeat the TOPIC in a short, clear phrase and then answer a few questions expressing your own thoughts on the situation. Is this photograph an "attack ad" directed to those with anti-Islamic prejudices? Is an image more powerful than reality? Is this uproar a prelude to a Presidential campaign to be filled with racism and bias?.