Grade 9 students hope you’ll take a closer look at their photo essays and explore deeper stories that appear beneath the surface.
As part of an assignment in English Language and Literature, students honed their writing and photography skills to create journalistic profiles of a chosen person or group. Throughout the process of completing the project, students said learning to ask questions and connect with their subjects helped them uncover details about people’s lives and untold histories they did not expect but felt compelled to share.
For Cindy S., the learning experience went beyond the skills in the classroom. After completing the interviews and putting together a draft article and photo selection, Cindy was able to collaborate with her subject’s head of communications to get feedback on her work, which added a level of professionalism to the project.
“Throughout this project the teachers treated it like a proper piece of journalism that allowed me to grow as a writer,” student Cindy S. said. “I learnt how to write formal emails, take constructive criticism, and be a listener. I learnt how to interpret one's story and turn it into a piece full of figurative language almost like a creative writing task.”
You can view Cindy’s photo essay by clicking here.
Other students had different experiences in their journalistic pursuits.
For Deviana S., the most challenging part of the assignment was to find a subject that inspired her enough to compose a photo that “emanated the core values of that person.” Eventually, she settled on a cultural piece, telling a story about China’s rich history which is often complicated by outsider bias.
“For the photo essay, I needed to find a person that challenged a stereotypical representation,” she said. “I chose to focus on how old traditions are strong and thriving in China and specifically on the younger generation still using older methods of dating, not just dating apps. My photo essay explores a conquest for true love while being torn between their own beliefs and loyalty to their parents. It shows the importance of family and marriage in China and how traditions and beliefs have evolved and are still thriving today.”
View Deviana’s photo essay by clicking here or on the photo to the right.
Grade 9 student Vanessa Z. enjoyed the technical elements of the project, playing with angles, exposure, and contrast in the photography, and exhibiting her work by building an interactive website.
Vanessa interviewed an ayi at WAB, which led her to telling the story of migrant workers in China. One of the key take-aways for Vanessa was maintaining and openness to listening to and learning form the people around you.
“I've learnt a lot of useful technical skills, like how to take good photographs or write a hook to your essay that will engage the reader,” Vanessa said. “I think the most important skill I learnt, though, is the ability to communicate with strangers in a direct, clear, and not-demanding way.”
View Vanessa’s photo essay website here or by clicking the image to the right.
Faye H. was another student whose experience working on this journalistic photo essay had a meaningful impact academically and personally.
Seeking to tell a story to which she was personally connected, Faye investigated her own family’s history and, in the process of uncovering and then sharing the story, discovered and brought to light underlying social issues in her piece.
“On the grand stage of Chinese history, seldom does the spotlight fall on the elusive figure of the woman,” Faye wrote. Find Faye’s complete work here, or click the photo to the right.
Student Angelina L. interviewed her aunt, who is also her namesake, about her experiences escaping the Vietnam War and moving to the United States to become a physician. Angelina said the experience was both challenging and inspiring. It gave her an opportunity to develop the journalistic art of question asking, listening, and finding a voice through writing, while identifying the intersection of academic and personal growth.
"I enjoyed this project very much as it was not only a school assignment, but a personal journey in learning about my family history," Angelina said.
Find Angelina's entire project here and by clicking the image to the right.
"One of the coolest parts of this project I'd like to highlight is this assignment had a wider audience, and is learning that really transfers," Teacher Jodie Zuccato said. "When students get to publish their work, they are forced to think about a wider audience. Who will read this? How will I entice my reader to continue reading? The unit title was More Than A Single Story, and students had the complex task of going beyond the common representation of a group of people. They were real journalists contributing their stories to the world and understanding the power of language that shift peoples' thinking. It was a delight to see what they uncovered in this inquiry."