- Assess aesthetic and pictorial elements like color, line, style, etc.
- Assess technical aspects like resolution, format, size, etc.
- Assess and compare reproductions, examining resolution, color accuracy, etc.

University of Colorado at Boulder

- Determine if visual media effectively communicates
- Appraise the design, technical, and quality characteristics
- Assess any associated textual material
- Determine if visual media sources are reputable

How to Evaluate Visual Media and Sources

"ACRL Visual Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education", American Library Association, October 27, 2011. http://www.ala.org/acrl/standards/visualliteracy (Accessed July 13, 2021).

ACRL Visual Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education

- Assess the capability of the visual media to fulfill its intent
- Determine the suitability and effect of the visual media 
- Assess any calculated strategies employed to affect interpretation
- Assess use of any symbols
- Look for editing and consider the impact on accuracy and the communication intent of the visual media
- Assess dependability of data presented in visual forms
- Apply evaluative principles from relevant disciplines

Evaluating Visual Media and Sources: Determine Communication Effectiveness

Evaluating Visual Media and Sources: Appraise Design, Technical, and Quality Characteristics

- Determine veracity, dependability, relevancy, and inclusivity of associated text
- Integrate your assessment of the visual media when assessing associated text
- Corroborate associated textual information via other sources and research

Evaluating Visual Media and Sources: Assess Associated Textual Material

- Consider authority and bias when evaluating the dependability of visual media sources 
- Consider the quality of textual information and visual media when evaluating a source
- Consider how the source places visual media into a context that can influence the interpretation

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