American Soldier

A. What is the most powerful image from the pictures printed in the Denver Post over the three weeks they published images from the year of coverage? Why?

For me it is the picture of Ian sitting in front of the tent after a long day praying. This picture shows you that military life is not easy. So many kids play military games and think it is glamorous and easy to be a soldier. It is tough and requires faith.


B. How do the images work together to tell a story?


The images really work well to show you all the emotions he felt during the year, the ups and downs, the joy and pain. 
The captions give you more background and details about what is going on and fill you in more on the experience.



C. How do the captions enhance the photographs?

The captions add more details about who is in the photos and what they are doing.

D. Summarize the story of Ian Fisher, based just on the captions.
Ian Fisher has wanted to be in the military for years, he signs on at 17 years old. His friends and family throw him a going away party. He heads off to boot camp and the reality of what he has done sets in. He has tough times in boot camp. He realizes training camp is nothing like real war. He struggles with military life after a stint of getting in trouble for returning late from his weekends home. He eventually becomes a well diciplined soldier. In the end he gets married in a private ceremony.



E. For the photos in which Ian is the main subject of the photos, in what tense are the verbs usually written?
Present Tense

F. Break down the captions:

1. How many sentences are they on average?
 Around 2 sentences on average
2. Read the first sentence of a couple of them, what information do they provide? 
They provide the basic who what where and when of the photo
3. Read the second sentences of a couple of them, what information do they provide?
This sentence normally provides details
4. If there is a third sentence, what information does it provide?
 A direct quote
5. Do any captions include a quote?
 yes many
6. Are there any that have four sentences? 
Yes the Linked in Ink photo has 4

G. Why do you think it is possible to tell a  story with just photos and captions?
The saying a picture is worth a thousand words is very true. With the right photos and captions you can tell a  whole lot of information.

H. If you can create a story with just photos and captions, why bother writing a story at all?
A story adds many details that might be missed in a photos and captions, you can add in all the extra details and use language to compare and contrast feelings and what is going on.