essays of a picture is worth a thousand words

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words - Meaning, Origin and Usage

Are you looking for a way to tell someone to send you a picture of what they are trying to explain? You could always use the phrase, " a picture is worth a thousand words ." This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this saying.

" A picture is worth a thousand words " means that images tell a better story than words. By using images, you can convey your message in a visual representation that impacts others.

Example Usage

"Sandra spent an hour telling me about her vacation. I didn't realize how beautiful the place was until I saw her pictures. It's true what they say; a picture is worth a thousand words."

" A picture is worth a thousand words , and that picture has nothing good to say for itself."

"Don't you know that a picture is worth a thousand words ? There's no way you can deny involvement after they caught you on camera like that."

essays of a picture is worth a thousand words

The origin of the proverbial saying " a picture is worth a thousand words " comes from a reinterpretation of previous expressions in the early 1800s. The Works of Mr. James Thomson, published in 1802 has the earliest rendition of the phrase as the following.

" One timely deed is worth ten thousand words "

The phrase also appears in the play, " The Trust: A Comedy, in Five Acts," published in 1808, where it reads.

" That tear, good girl, is worth ten thousand words ."

The American Journal of Education also published an earlier rendition of the saying in 1858.

" One fact well understood by observation and well-guided development is worth a thousand times more than a thousand words ."

However, the saying gained prominence in its modern form in America in the early 20th century.

Frederick R. Barnard published a column titled "One look is worth a thousand words" in the industry magazine " Printer's Ink " in December 1921. Barnard claims the saying has Japanese origins, and Printers ink would later publish the phrase as the following.

" Chinese proverb. One picture is worth ten thousand words ."

Phrases Similar to A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

Stop talking and send me a picture.
Pics, or it didn't happen.

Phrases Opposite to A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

Words mean nothing.
Images are easy to falsify.

What is the Correct Saying?

A picture is worth a thousand words.
A picture says a thousand words.

Ways People May Say It Incorrectly

The phrase " a picture is worth a thousand words " doesn't mean that a picture contains a thousand words of information. It means that images are more valuable than words when explaining concepts of events. So, you wouldn't use the phrase when you're referring to the video or other media formats, only images.

Acceptable Ways to Phrase It

You can use " a picture is worth a thousand words " in several social and professional situations. For instance, you could request someone to send you a picture of an item you're thinking about buying. You can also use the phrase to tell someone that a lot is going on in a specific image.

The phrase suits social and professional use. You could use it at work when you're telling a supplier to stop talking about a product and send you a picture so you can get a visual image. You could use it at home to tell someone to send you a picture of their vacation so you can get an idea of their trip.

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'A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words': Definition, Meaning, Examples

Have you ever tried to explain something to someone, and they just weren't getting it? Then the idiom 'A picture is worth a thousand words' might come in handy! In this article, you'll learn what it means, its origins, and how to use it.

The short version is:

'A picture is worth a thousand words' is a way of saying that showing someone a picture can be a more effective way of explaining something than using words.

What Does 'A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words' Mean?

Many people are visual learners, but even those who aren't can benefit from an illustrated version of a complex idea. Take, for example, instruction manuals; they usually come with a picture or diagram or some sort of visual support to help you figure out how to use or build the item.

That's the idea that the idiom 'A picture is worth a thousand words' conveys. It means you can tell an entire story with just one picture and impart a concept or idea much more effectively.

The dictionary defines it as follows:

used to say that it is often easier to show something in a picture than to describe it with words

Imagine, for instance, that you were putting together a presentation for your team about the organization's progress over the last quarter.

Your colleague might say to you:

You should add in some graphs and charts. A picture is worth a thousand words.

Some variants of the expression include:

A picture is worth ten thousand words.
One picture is worth ten thousand words.
One picture is worth a thousand words.

Where Does 'A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words' Come From?

This expression has been around for a long time and is used in many countries worldwide. But where does it originate from? Here's what we know.

An Advertising Tool

The idiom in this specific form is attributed to Arthur Brisbane during a Syracuse Advertising Men's Club banquet in 1911. Rumor has it they got together to discuss the best marketing techniques, and Brisbane is known to have said:

Use a picture. It's worth a thousand words.

The event and this quote were documented in the Post-Standard newspaper and advertising trade journal Printers' Ink.

Later, Fred R. Barnard used the phrase ' One picture is worth ten thousand words. ' in a Printers' Ink 1921 issue to promote the use of pictures on advertisements on streetcars (old school trams).

A Chinese Proverb

It was commonly believed for some time (and probably still is by some now) that this idiom is actually a Chinese proverb and was attributed to the famous philosopher Confucius. But there's actually a straightforward explanation.

Remember Barnard, the guy who promoted the use of pictures in ads on streetcars? Yeah, that guy. He also put out another ad in the Printer's Ink six years later, where he wrote 'One Picture Worth Ten Thousand Words' and labeled it a Chinese proverb.

It was later revealed that he lied about this so that people would take it seriously. So it's confirmed this is definitely not a Chinese proverb.

Earlier Variants

While this specific adaptation of the phrase was popularized in modern times, other versions meaning the same thing were used long before that. It's such a popular message that there are too many to list here, but I'll show you some poignant examples.

As far back as the 15th or 16th century, Leonardo also expressed this idea in one of his notebooks—possibly in his "Codex Atlanticus," a collection of his writings and drawings. The specific date of when he wrote this quote may not be available, as his notebooks were filled with various ideas, sketches, and observations over a long period. However, Leonardo da Vinci lived from 1452 to 1519, and his notebooks contain writings from throughout his life. He said something along the lines of:

A poet would be overcome by sleep and hunger before being able to describe with words what a painter is able to depict in an instant."

In 1861, Russian writer Ivan Turgenev wrote:

The drawing shows me at one glance what might be spread over ten pages in a book.

At one point, even Napoleon Bonaparte had a go at it and said (translated from French):

A good sketch is better than a long speech.

In Ivan S. Turgenev's 1862 novel Fathers and Sons, one of his characters says:

Examples in Sentences

Now we've covered the meaning and origin of the phrase, let's check out some examples where this idiom is used in sentences :

While on vacation , we saw such amazing sunsets; it really made me realize that a picture is worth a thousand words. The documentary used striking images of the wildlife to convey its message, proving that a picture is worth a thousand words. You use a lot of smart words but a picture is worth a thousand words. Her facial expression, captured in that photograph, told a story that words could never fully convey—a true example of how a picture is worth a thousand words. The artist's painting of a field of flowers was so evocative that it demonstrated the age-old adage that a picture is worth a thousand words. Instead of describing the scene in detail, I showed them the picture, as I knew a picture is worth a thousand words. You can tell many tales with words but a picture is worth a thousand words. The infographic in the presentation summarized the data beautifully, proving that sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words. The marketing team decided to proceed with using a captivating image in their ad campaign, knowing that a picture is worth a thousand words in grabbing people's attention. As a travel blogger, she always relied on stunning photos to illustrate her adventures, believing that a picture is worth a thousand words.

Other Ways to Say 'A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words'

There are other ways to express the fact that a picture explains something better than words.

Here are some of them :

A picture paints a thousand words.
Every picture tells a story.
It's better to see something once than to hear about it a thousand times.
Seeing once is better than hearing twice.
Show, don't tell.

Concluding Thoughts

That concludes this article about this famous saying. To summarize, to say that a picture is worth a thousand words is to say that a picture is often a more effective way of conveying a message than using words.

Are you ready to learn more English phrases and expand your vocabulary? Check out our idioms blog for idioms, expressions, sayings, and more!

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Napoleon Bonaparte: 'A picture is worth a thousand words.'

A picture is worth a thousand words.

"A picture is worth a thousand words." This famous quote by Napoleon Bonaparte encapsulates the idea that visual imagery has the power to convey a profound message or story more effectively than a mere description could ever achieve. It speaks to the inherent ability of images to evoke emotions, provoke thought, and inspire imagination. In a straightforward manner, this quote highlights the importance of visual communication and its impact on human understanding.When we encounter a picture, we are instantly drawn into a realm of visual storytelling. Our minds engage with the image, deciphering its composition, colors, and details to form our own narrative. This process of visual interpretation taps into our subconscious, where emotions and associations reside, enabling a deeper connection with the subject matter presented in the picture.The human brain possesses a remarkable ability to process visual information effortlessly. Research suggests that the brain can interpret and comprehend images 60,000 times faster than words. This astounding capability allows visual communication to transcend language barriers, making it a universal language that can be understood by individuals from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.Pictures have been used throughout history to preserve memories, document events, and convey messages across generations. Consider the iconic "Tank Man" photograph from the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989. This single image captured the bravery and resilience of an individual standing against a line of tanks, encapsulating a powerful message of resistance and defiance against oppression. The impact of this photograph is immeasurable, as it has become an enduring symbol of courage and the human quest for freedom.However, while the quote by Napoleon emphasizes the tremendous value of visual representation, it is interesting to explore the philosophical concept of the limitations of pictures. Despite their ability to convey powerful emotions, pictures often fall short in providing a comprehensive understanding of complex ideas or abstract concepts. They offer a snapshot of a moment frozen in time, unable to capture the multidimensionality and nuances that words can express.For instance, imagine trying to convey the intricacies of love, with all its joys and pains, solely through a picture. The richness of human emotions and the complexity of relationships require a more expansive medium for expression. Words have the unique power to delve into the depths of human experiences, unveil the subtleties of our emotions, and articulate the abstract in ways that visuals alone cannot.In essence, while there is undeniable truth in Napoleon's quote, it is important to recognize that the value of a picture extends beyond the surface level. Pictures possess the ability to spark curiosity, ignite imagination, and invoke emotions, but they should not be seen as a substitute for the richness and depth of language. Instead, they should be considered complementary tools in our quest for understanding and expressing the complexities of the human experience.In conclusion, Napoleon Bonaparte's quote "A picture is worth a thousand words" encapsulates the significance of visual imagery as a powerful means of communication. Pictures have the ability to convey messages, evoke emotions, and spark our imagination in ways that words alone often cannot. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that the limitations of pictures lie in their inability to fully capture the entirety of human experiences and complex ideas. For this reason, words remain an essential complement to visual communication, allowing us to explore the depths and intricacies of our world. Together, these mediums form a dynamic duo, enabling us to connect, learn, and express ourselves in a multifaceted manner.

Maureen O'Hara: 'The Queen Mary was the most civilized and luxurious way one could travel to America in the late 1930s.'

Conrad hall: 'there is a kind of beauty in imperfection.'.

What Does a Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words Mean?

Ever tried to describe a place you visited to someone, and gone on and on about how wonderful it was, only to end up saying something to the effect of, “I guess you’d have to see it to believe it”? It makes sense. After all, “a picture is worth a thousand words,” as they say. Let’s explore the meaning and history of this popular idiomatic and proverbial expression.

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As illustrated above, this phrase is used to express that it can be easier to show something in a picture than to describe it by speaking words or using the written word. More specifically, it’s saying that often one single picture can more effectively convey something, or can depict something more vividly and clearly, than a lot of words—and can certainly do so faster. That’s why you may also hear or see the phrase as one picture is worth a thousand words . (It is also often written with a conjunction as a picture’s worth a thousand words .)

For example, it’s often easier to understand how to put a piece of furniture together by looking at pictures or illustrations, or even watching a video, of the necessary steps than it is to read paragraphs of instructions in a manual. Likewise, it’s typically much simpler and quicker to figure out how to get from point A to point B by looking at a map than it is listening to someone tell you or reading about all the turns to make and landmarks to be on the lookout for on your drive.

The History of the Expression

Ironically, it’s going to take quite a few words to explain the etymology of the common phrase. As is often the case with both idioms and proverbs in general, the exact origin of this expression isn’t known.

Similar expressions have been in use since at least the 1700s. In particular, it appears phrases using is worth a thousand words or is worth ten thousand words were common in the 18th and 19th century. For example, the similar phrase one timely deed is worth ten thousand words appeared in The Works of Mr. James Thomson , which is thought to have been originally published some time in the 1760s. (The playwright Henrick Ibsen is credited as saying something very similar in the late 19th century: “A thousand words leave not the same deep impression as does a single deed.”) Other phrases that can be traced to the 1800s convey that a tear is worth ten thousand words and that a well-understood fact is worth more than a thousand words. The specific idea that a picture is worth a thousand, or ten thousand, words is thought by some researchers to have first appeared in print in 1862, in the novel Fathers and Sons by Ivan Turgenev. A character in the book says: “The drawing shows me at one glance what might be spread over ten pages in a book.” However, there’s evidence that others expressed this earlier, and even much earlier. Napoleon Bonaparte said, “A good sketch is better than a long speech,” while Leonardo da Vinci wrote that a poet would be “overcome by sleep and hunger before [being able to] describe with words what a painter is able to [depict] in an instant.”

Fast forward to the early 20th century, to 1911 exactly, when the Syracuse Advertising Men’s Club held a journalism banquet. In an article in the Syracuse, New York, newspaper The Post-Standard about the event, the journalist quotes a speaker, Tess Flanders, as saying, “Use a picture. It’s worth a thousand words.” Others credit the quote to that event but to newspaper editor Arthur Brisbane. Whoever said it, their words were clearly very similar to the expression we know and use today, although not exactly the same. Shortly after, in 1913, an advertisement for the Piqua Auto Supply House of Piqua, Ohio, used the phrase one look is worth a thousand words .

It’s possible that the exact expression a picture is worth a thousand words first appeared in print in 1918: A newspaper advertisement for the San Antonio Light said:

“One of the Nation’s Greatest Editors Says:

One Picture is Worth a Thousand Words The San Antonio Light’s Pictorial Magazine of the War Exemplifies the truth of the above statement—judging from the warm reception it has received at the hands of the Sunday Light readers.”

Still, credit for modern use of the phrase is usually given to Frederick R. Barnard (or Fred R. Barnard), who wrote the phrase in the advertising trade journal Printers’ Ink (sometimes incorrectly written as Printer’s Ink ) to promote the use of images in advertisements on the sides of streetcars. In one ad, Barnard called the phrase a Chinese proverb (he later wrote that it was said by a Japanese philosopher), though he didn’t have proof of such an origin. Because of this, sometimes the expression is incorrectly attributed to Confucius. In the same publication, around the same time period, the phrase one look is worth a thousand words can be found.

What Are Idioms and Proverbs?

A picture is worth a thousand words is considered both an idiom and a proverb. An idiom is an expression with an intended meaning that typically can’t fully be understood just by looking at the individual words that comprise it. Idioms have figurative rather than literal meanings. Even if you’ve never heard the term idiom , you have most likely heard many idiomatic expressions. Here are just a few of the most common idioms used today:

You’re in hot water. His boss gave him the ax. It’s time to face the music. You’ve hit the nail on the head. If you took the first example literally, you’d think it was describing a person standing in a bathtub full of hot water, perhaps. But the expression is actually used to describe a person who’s in trouble. Likewise, rather than literally being handed a tool for chopping wood, if you get the ax from your boss, it means you’re getting fired. It’s time to face the music means that it’s time to come to terms with the consequences of your actions. And when someone has hit the nail on the head, they’ve gotten an answer exactly right or done something exactly as it should have been done. Although you might be able to understand the expression a picture is worth a thousand words just by looking at the words that comprise it, if you were to take it purely literally, you’d understand it to mean that a picture is worth or is the same as/equivalent to exactly one thousand words. Of course, now you know that like other idioms, the phrase is used more figuratively, to convey the notion that an image can often more effectively and more succinctly say something than lots of words can (with lots not being defined as a specific number). Proverbs are short, common phrases or sayings that impart advice or share a universal truth. Interestingly, some people debate the truth of the above statement, with many arguing that the use of both images and words is the best way to get something across. Proverbs are also called adages, aphorisms, and maxims . Here are some additional examples of well-known proverbs: Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Blood is thicker than water . A picture is worth a thousand words. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder . Discover many more idioms and proverbs here . <H2>Summary<H2> The idiomatic and proverbial expression a picture is worth a thousand words is used to convey that a picture, or image, or graphic illustration may better convey or describe something than many written or spoken words—that it may be easier, and much faster, to just show someone something than to tell them about it. Although its exact origins are unknown, the phrase and the idea it conveys have been around, and remained popular, for quite some time.

Maggie Cramer

For the past 15 years, I've dedicated my career to words and language, as a writer, editor, and communications specialist and as a language arts educator. I'm excited to explore all things English with you and The Word Counter!

I currently reside in Asheville, North Carolina. I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Writing, Literature, and Publishing from Emerson College and a Master of Education (MEd) in Secondary English Education from the University of Florida.

You can find me on LinkedIn , or access my online portfolio here !

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A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words: Understanding This Popular Saying

By: Author Sophie

Posted on Last updated: September 5, 2023

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Welcome to our article on the popular saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” This phrase has been around for over a century and is still widely used today. In this article, we will explore the meaning and origin of this saying, as well as its usage in modern times.

A picture is worth a thousand words

Understanding A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

The phrase “A picture is worth a thousand words” is a popular English adage that implies that a picture conveys a message more effectively than a written or spoken description. This section will explore the origin and etymology of the phrase.

The origin of the phrase is uncertain, but it has been attributed to various sources. One popular theory is that it originated from a Chinese proverb , which states, “One picture is worth ten thousand words.” However, there is no evidence to support this claim.

The first known use of the phrase in English was in an article published in the Piqua Auto Supply House in 1911. The author, Arthur Brisbane, wrote, “Use a picture. It’s worth a thousand words.” The phrase gained popularity when it was used in an advertisement by the San Antonio Light in 1913. The ad featured a picture of a steamboat and the caption, “One Picture is Worth a Thousand Words.”

The phrase has been attributed to various individuals, including Confucius, Leonardo da Vinci, Ivan Turgenev, and Napoleon Bonaparte. However, there is no evidence to support any of these claims.

The phrase gained popularity in the early 20th century when advertising became more visual. Fred R. Barnard, an advertising executive, is credited with popularizing the phrase. In a 1927 issue of Printers’ Ink, he wrote, “A picture is worth a thousand words.”

The phrase has since become a popular adage, used to convey the idea that a visual representation can convey a message more effectively than a written or spoken description.

Here are a few examples of how the phrase can be used in context:

Sandra spent an hour telling me about her vacation. I didn’t realize how beautiful the place was until I saw her pictures. A picture is worth a thousand words.
The report was filled with technical jargon that was difficult to understand. A well-designed infographic would have been more effective. A picture is worth a thousand words.
The artist’s painting conveyed the emotions of the subject more effectively than any written description could. A picture is worth a thousand words.

Application in Visual Learning

As the saying goes, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” This is particularly true when it comes to language learning. Visual aids, such as pictures, play a crucial role in helping learners understand and retain new vocabulary and grammar concepts. In this section, we will explore the role of pictures in language learning, the impact of visuals on vocabulary acquisition, and how pictures can help learners understand grammar.

Role of Pictures in Language Learning

Pictures are an essential tool for language learners. They provide a visual representation of new vocabulary, making it easier for learners to understand and memorize new words. For example, if you are learning the word “apple,” seeing a picture of an apple alongside the word will help you remember the word more easily than simply reading the definition in a dictionary.

Pictures can also help learners understand more complex concepts. For instance, a picture of a person holding an umbrella while walking in the rain can help learners understand the difference between “in the rain” and “under an umbrella.”

Impact of Visuals on Vocabulary Acquisition

Visual aids are particularly effective when it comes to learning new vocabulary. Studies have shown that learners who use pictures to learn new words are more likely to remember those words than learners who do not use pictures. This is because pictures provide a context for the word, making it easier for learners to remember the meaning.

To illustrate this point, consider the following examples:

Learners who see a picture of a “pencil” alongside the word are more likely to remember the word than learners who only read the definition in a dictionary.
Learners who see a picture of a “hedgehog” alongside the word are more likely to remember the word than learners who only hear the word spoken aloud.

Pictures and Grammar Understanding

Pictures can also be helpful in understanding grammar concepts. For example, a picture of a person sitting in a chair can help learners understand the preposition “in.” Similarly, a picture of a person walking can help learners understand the difference between the present progressive tense and the simple present tense.

A picture of a person sitting in a chair can help learners understand the preposition “in.” For example, “The cat is in the box” versus “The cat is on the box.”
A picture of a person walking can help learners understand the difference between the present progressive tense and the simple present tense. For example, “I am walking” versus “I walk.”

Application in Various Fields

Use in advertising.

Pictures play a crucial role in advertising. Advertisements with pictures are more likely to capture the attention of the audience and leave a lasting impression. The right image can convey the message of the advertisement more effectively than words alone. For example, an image of a happy family enjoying a meal together can communicate the idea of togetherness and happiness associated with a particular brand of food.

Here are some words related to advertising and their meanings:

Role in Presentations

Pictures can also be used to enhance presentations. Visual aids can help the audience understand complex ideas more easily and remember them better. For example, a graph or chart can be used to illustrate data or statistics. A picture can be used to represent an abstract concept, making it more concrete and easier to understand.

Here are some words related to presentations and their meanings:

Influence in Abstract Concepts

Pictures can also be used to convey abstract concepts. For example, a picture of a broken heart can represent the idea of heartbreak. Images can also be used to convey emotions, such as happiness, sadness, or anger.

Here are some words related to abstract concepts and their meanings:

The Power of a Single Picture

Decoding the message in a picture.

A picture is worth a thousand words. Pictures are a powerful tool for communication. They can convey a message more effectively than words because they are not limited by language barriers. When you look at a picture, your brain processes the visual information and tries to make sense of what it sees. This process helps you to decode the message in the picture and understand the story it tells.

For example, consider the picture of a camera. The camera is a visual representation of the word “camera.” When you see the picture, your brain automatically associates it with the word “camera.” This process helps you to understand the message in the picture and the story it tells.

Exploring the Story in a Picture

Pictures can also tell a story. They can capture a moment in time and convey a message that words alone cannot. When you look at a picture, you can explore the story it tells and the emotions it evokes.

For example, consider the picture of a drawing. The drawing may be a representation of a story or an emotion. When you look at the picture, you can explore the story it tells and the emotions it evokes. This process helps you to understand the power of a single picture in conveying complex ideas.

In conclusion, the phrase “a picture is worth a thousand words” emphasizes the power of visual representation in conveying complex ideas and concepts. This adage holds true in various languages and is widely used in English vocabulary.

The worth of a picture is not just limited to its aesthetic value, but also its ability to communicate a message or idea more effectively than a mere verbal description. Pictures can evoke emotions, create connections, and leave a lasting impression on the viewer.

Moreover, using pictures in language learning can make vocabulary and grammar less abstract and more visible, therefore easier to understand and remember. Pictures can also be used to supplement verbal explanations in the ELT classroom, making language learning more engaging and interactive.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of the saying ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’?

The origin of the saying ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’ is not clear. Some sources suggest that it may have originated in China, while others attribute it to an American newspaper editor named Arthur Brisbane in the early 1900s.

How can using pictures help improve vocabulary?

Using pictures in language learning can help make vocabulary more concrete and easier to remember. When learners see a picture of a word, it helps them to associate the word with a visual image, making it easier to recall later.

What are some examples of stories where a picture is worth a thousand words?

One famous example of a story where a picture is worth a thousand words is the children’s book “The Snowy Day” by Ezra Jack Keats. The illustrations in the book effectively convey the joy and wonder of a child’s experience of snow, without the need for lengthy descriptions.

What are some similar quotes to ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’?

Some similar quotes to ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’ include ‘seeing is believing’ and ‘actions speak louder than words’.

Who is credited with coining the phrase ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’?

The phrase ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’ is often attributed to an American newspaper editor named Arthur Brisbane, who used it in an article in 1911. However, the phrase may have been in use before this time, and its true origin is unclear.

The phrase 'a picture is worth a thousand words' means that a single image can convey a complex idea or emotion more effectively than a verbal or written description.

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The origin of the saying 'a picture is worth a thousand words' is not clear. Some sources suggest that it may have originated in China, while others attribute it to an American newspaper editor named Arthur Brisbane in the early 1900s.

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One famous example of a story where a picture is worth a thousand words is the children's book \"The Snowy Day\" by Ezra Jack Keats. The illustrations in the book effectively convey the joy and wonder of a child's experience of snow, without the need for lengthy descriptions.

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Some similar quotes to 'a picture is worth a thousand words' include 'seeing is believing' and 'actions speak louder than words'.

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The phrase 'a picture is worth a thousand words' is often attributed to an American newspaper editor named Arthur Brisbane, who used it in an article in 1911. However, the phrase may have been in use before this time, and its true origin is unclear.

In conclusion, the phrase 'a picture is worth a thousand words' highlights the power of visual imagery to convey complex ideas and emotions. Using pictures in language learning can be a valuable tool for improving vocabulary and making language more concrete and memorable.

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Phrase Finder

A picture is worth a thousand words

What's the meaning of the phrase 'A picture is worth a thousand words'?

A picture tells a story just as well as, if not better than, a lot of written words.

What's the origin of the phrase 'A picture is worth a thousand words'?

This phrase emerged in the USA in the early part of the 20th century. Its introduction is widely attributed to Frederick R. Barnard, who published a piece commending the effectiveness of graphics in advertising with the title “ One look is worth a thousand words “, in Printer’s Ink , December 1921. Barnard claimed the phrase’s source to be oriental by adding “so said a famous Japanese philosopher, and he was right”.

Printer’s Ink printed another form of the phrase in March 1927, this time suggesting a Chinese origin:

“Chinese proverb. One picture is worth ten thousand words.”

The arbitrary escalation from ‘one thousand’ to ‘ten thousand’ and the switching from Japan to China as the source leads us to smell a rat with this derivation. In fact, Barnard didn’t introduce the phrase – his only contribution was the incorrect suggestion that the country of origin was Japan or China. This has led to another popular belief about the phrase, that is, that it was coined by Confucius. It might fit the Chinese-sounding ‘Confucius he say’ style, but the Chinese derivation was pure invention.

Many things had been thought to be ‘worth ten thousand words’ well before pictures got in on the act; for example:

“One timely deed is worth ten thousand words” – The Works of Mr. James Thomson , 1802. “That tear, good girl, is worth, ten thousand words” – The Trust: A Comedy, in Five Acts , 1808. “One fact well understood by observation, and well guided development, is worth a thousand times more than a thousand words” – The American Journal of Education , 1858.

The idea that a picture can convey what might take many words to express was voiced by a character in Ivan S. Turgenev’s novel Fathers and Sons, 1862:

“The drawing shows me at one glance what might be spread over ten pages in a book.”

A similar idea was seen very widely in the USA from the early 20th century, in adverts for Doan’s Backache Kidney Pills , which included a picture of a man holding his back and the text “Every picture tells a story”.

Neither of the above led directly to ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’. Who it was that married ‘worth ten thousand words’ with ‘picture’ isn’t known, but we do know that the phrase is American in origin. It began to be used quite frequently in the US press from around the 1920s onward. The earliest example I can find is from the text of an instructional talk given by the newspaper editor Arthur Brisbane to the Syracuse Advertising Men’s Club , in March 1911:

“Use a picture. It’s worth a thousand words.”

This little essay clocks in at 471 words. Perhaps I should have drawn half a picture instead?

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A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

Meaning of “a picture is worth a thousand words”.

The proverbial sentence “A picture is worth a thousand words” is one of the famous and common proverbs. It means an artwork or an image can convey meanings more effectively than descriptions. This phrase is usually used in newspaper advertisements. It shows that graphic illustrations are more useful to express the clear thoughts hidden behind a notion rather than words. Most artists, especially in the modern arts, share their message through their art piece. These artworks bring various interpretations and are also hard to get it right. However, an image can undoubtedly give an important message or tell a story using colors, designs , themes , and more.

Origin of “A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words”

This proverb seems to have witnessed a long evolution before reaching its present shape and showing its current meanings. It is derived from the philosophy of a Chinese philosopher, Confucius. However, the modern use of this phrase is attributed to Frederick R. Barnard.

In the early 20th century, this current phrase emerged in the United States introduced by Frederick R. Barnard. He published an article on December 1921 under the title, “One Look is Worth a Thousand Words” in Printer’s Ink . Barnard claims that the phrase has Japanese origin. He also has attributed it to a Japanese in his article.

Another version of this phrase was printed in Printer’s Ink in its March 1927 publication. This time the catalog suggested this phrase having Chinese origin as it says, “Chinese proverb. One picture is worth ten thousand words.”

The current version of this phrase has been traced from an advertisement of, the San Antonio Light , newspaper in one of its publications of 1918 which appears as: “One Picture is Worth a Thousand Words.”

Examples in Literature

If – written by Gates David Ashworth and sung by Bread

If a picture paints a thousand words, then why can’t I paint you? The words will never show, to you I’ve come to know. If a face could launch a thousand ships, then where am I to go? there’s no one home but you, You’re all that’s left me too. And when, my love, for life is running dry, you come, and pour, yourself, on me. If a man could be two places at one time, I’d be with you. tomorrow and today, beside you all the way. If the world should stop revolving spinning slowly down to die, I’d spend the end with you, and when the world was through, Then one, by one, the stars would all go out and you, and I, would simply fly away

The song is about the poet’s declaration of painting his beloved through his words. Using different literary devices , the poet has shown his love, which imaginarily paints his beloved’s face like a sea. The use of this saying in the very first line points to the dexterity of the poet and the effectiveness of this saying as compared to the words he used to paint the picture of his beloved.

Worth A Thousand Words by Stacy Hawkins Adams

A journalist and an award-winning author, Stacy Hawkins Adams, wrote a book series, Jubilant Soul . Worth a Thousand Words is a sequel, which has the second half of the proverb. In spite of using the proverb partially, the title means “a picture is worth a thousand words.” The story revolves around the significant character , Indigo, a passionate young girl who wants to peruse her career as a photographer, but she is stuck in several obstacles. The marriage proposal from her long-time beloved, Brayn, is a hindrance to success and career. The protagonist keeps on challenging her strength and emotions as she tries to fight with her love life and future dreams . This proverb has been used metaphorically in the story.

Thousand Words by Forrest Hiler

This phrasing goes as follows; “A picture is worth a thousand words.” What about words? Can they be forged into, A thousand pictures. People paint a visual, Long before we know them, Who’s to know what picture, Lurks behind the eye? Are we worth thousand visuals? For we have all their pictures, All their perfect words, All their protective hugs, All their loving kisses, And all their thoughtful idea.

The poem “Thousand Words” show the use of the pictures. A picture is a crucial element of the proverb. Therefore, the whole saying has been used to interpret the effectiveness of pictures to convey a message. The comparison of words and pictures raise a new controversy whether the picture is worth words or words are worth pictures. However, we can conclude that the use of the proverb in this poem is an excellent way of writing poetry.

Examples in Sentences

Example #1: “A picture is worth a thousand words, but sometimes a word is worth a thousand pictures.”

Example #2: “Solomon stared at Mona Lisa’s portrait, feeling mesmerized, he said to himself, ‘a picture is worth a thousand words. Her smile, her eyes says it all.”

Example #3: “The manager asked the team to add more graphics for the presentation because a picture is worth a thousand words.”

Example #4: “Johnny’s reaction to their neighbor’s portrait was so weird. It is true what they say; a picture is worth a thousand words.”

Example #5: “You better draw a proper map with the directions. Your instructions are too fast to register in my mind. You know, a picture is worth a thousand words.”

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A Picture's Worth a Thousand Words: From Image to Detailed Narrative

Resources & Preparation
Instructional Plan
Related Resources

After looking at an image that tells a story, students brainstorm about the possible events and characters the image illustrates. Students then write from the point of view of one of the characters in the image, sharing the character's thoughts and feelings, describing the events that led up to the picture, or imagining the events that followed.

Featured Resources

Timeline Tool : Use this online tool to help students sketch out the sequence of events for their narratives. Narrative Writing Rubric : This thorough rubric can be used to assess any piece of narrative writing.

From Theory to Practice

This lesson uses artworks as inspiration for narrative writing. Why use artwork? As Rochelle I. Frei (1999) explains, art "can be used the same way as written text can to expand children's knowledge of the world, and to understand what children do when they make sense of that world. . . . Art can provide a window into how children negotiate their understandings of images and their knowledge of the world" (386). In Frei's project, students explain their understanding of pieces of art, revealing details about their literacy processes and strategies. The same kinds of revelations, likely on a more advanced level, are revealed in this lesson, where students explore background actions and other narratives related to the art they study. All students can find success "where they are" through this exploration of culture, vocabulary, voice, and characterization in the specific context of the inspiration artwork. Because of the open-ended nature of this lesson, it is particularly appropriate for multi-leveled classrooms and classrooms with special-needs students and English Language Learners.

Common Core Standards

This resource has been aligned to the Common Core State Standards for states in which they have been adopted. If a state does not appear in the drop-down, CCSS alignments are forthcoming.

State Standards

This lesson has been aligned to standards in the following states. If a state does not appear in the drop-down, standard alignments are not currently available for that state.

NCTE/IRA National Standards for the English Language Arts

3. Students apply a wide range of strategies to comprehend, interpret, evaluate, and appreciate texts. They draw on their prior experience, their interactions with other readers and writers, their knowledge of word meaning and of other texts, their word identification strategies, and their understanding of textual features (e.g., sound-letter correspondence, sentence structure, context, graphics).
6. Students apply knowledge of language structure, language conventions (e.g., spelling and punctuation), media techniques, figurative language, and genre to create, critique, and discuss print and nonprint texts.
12. Students use spoken, written, and visual language to accomplish their own purposes (e.g., for learning, enjoyment, persuasion, and the exchange of information).

Materials and Technology

Board and markers or chalk
Copies of a picture that tells a story
General classroom supplies
A Picture's Worth a Thousand Words Chart Example
Rubric for a Narrative Writing Piece

Preparation

Find a "Norman Rockwell"-type picture, i.e., any picture that is telling a story with people and a clear situation. The Saturday Evening Post is one source for this kind of picture. You can also look at online art gallery resources (listed in the Resources section).
Copy the picture for each student and have the original available for fine details.

Student Objectives

Students will

demonstrate knowledge of the characteristics of narratives (e.g., sequence, storytelling).
explore connections between images and words.
use detailed vocabulary to write their text.

Instruction and Activities

Distribute the picture to the students.
Ask students to examine the picture individually for a few minutes, jotting down on a piece of scratch paper or in their writer's notebooks any features or details that they notice.
Consulting their notes as necessary, students brainstorm about the possible events and characters this picture illustrates. As students share their ideas, place the words or phrases under headings such as Character, Setting, Situation, and Vocabulary (see example ). This is especially helpful for nonnative speakers, who may need help with vocabulary and spelling. Of course, this step may be only oral for native speakers.
Ask students to write from one character's point of view. They may write about the character's feelings and thoughts, tell the story that leads up to the picture, or narrate the events that follow. Encourage students not only to describe the picture but to invent an original story related to the event illustrated. Students can sketch out the sequence of events for their narratives using the Timeline Tool .

Focuses a clear, well-defined incident or series of related events. Develops plot, character, and setting with specific detail. Orders events clearly. Uses description and dialogue as appropriate to develop setting and character. Shows events rather than just telling about them. Establishes and maintains a tone and point of view. Uses a logical and effective pattern of organization, such as chronological order, flashback, or flash-forward. Uses transitional words and phrases to maintain coherence and establish sequence within and between paragraphs.

creating a lead: Leading to Great Places in the Middle School Classroom
characterization: Using Picture Books to Teach Characterization in Writing Workshop
connotation and details: She Did What? Revising for Connotation
setting: Using Picture Books to Teach Setting Development in Writing Workshop
punctuating dialogue: Inside or Outside? A Mini-Lesson on Quotation Marks and More
paragraphing dialogue: Character Clash: A Mini-Lesson on Paragraph Breaks and Dialogue
using dialogue tags: Choosing Clear and Varied Dialogue Tags: A Mini-Lesson
If you want students to create a more formal piece of writing, allow additional class sessions for them to revise, type, and edit their papers. Alternately, you might have students do simple "first draft" writing, or write in their journals or writer's notebooks.

Student Assessment / Reflections

The results of this activity range from a restatement of the vocabulary from the brainstorming on the board or chart paper to a detailed story with fleshed-out characterizations, depending upon the student and his or her abilities; therefore, a variety of finished products may result, each reflecting individual student's efforts.

If students write their stories in their journals, you might read and simply note things that stand out as specific and well-detailed.
If students complete multiple drafts of this piece, you could use the Peer Review: Narrative lesson plan to give students the chance to do self-assessment and revise their texts. Then use similar guidelines to respond to their writing.
For more formal feedback, use the Narrative Writing Rubric .
Student Interactives
Calendar Activities
Lesson Plans

Students generate descriptive timelines and can include images in the description.

Students examine the painting that inspired Sondheim's Pulitzer-prize winning musical and then create a story of their own based on image they choose.

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a picture is worth a thousand words

Definition of a picture is worth a thousand words

Examples of a picture is worth a thousand words in a sentence.

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'a picture is worth a thousand words.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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“A picture is worth a thousand words.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/a%20picture%20is%20worth%20a%20thousand%20words. Accessed 18 May. 2024.

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A picture is worth a thousand words

| Grammarist

The proverb a picture is worth a thousand words is probably not as old as you think. A proverb is a short, common saying or phrase. It particularly gives advice or shares a universal truth. We will examine the definition of the phrase a picture is worth a thousand words , where the expression came from as well as some examples of its use in sentences.

The phrase a picture is worth a thousand words means a picture may convey an idea more quickly and effectively than the written word. Writers of texts that describe concepts involving imagery or abstract thoughts need many words to get their points across. A photograph, artwork, drawing or graphics can often demonstrate an idea with one look, much more quickly than a narrative can explain things. A photograph or artwork may depict emotion, enabling the viewer to perceive the essence of the story without a word being written or spoken. Readers of articles or books must engage in a large amount of effort to mentally process the words in order to understand what the writer is trying to convey. Someone who simply views an image can capture the essence of the meaning of that image without a lot of explaining. The viewer may gain some insight from an image, however, even photographs are open to interpretation. A photographer may crop the picture, leaving out a factor that may be of some importance. He may highlight a point of view that does not tell the whole story. The viewer may not understand the context of what he is looking at, where a literary essay or some other written text may explain things more fully. While the phrase a picture is worth a thousand words has been labeled as a Chinese proverb and attributed to the philosopher, Confucius, in fact it is an American expression. The idea seems to have first been put forth around the turn of the twentieth century by a newspaper editor Tess Flanders, discussing strategies in publishing, editing and news reporting. The term was popularized in the 1920s by Fred R. Barnard, who is often credited with the origin of the proverb. He used the phrase a picture is worth a thousand words to discuss the use of drawn and photographic images to illustrate advertising. It was Barnard who ascribed the proverb to the Chinese, and later, the Japanese. He also used the term a picture is worth ten thousand words , though one thousand is the current quantity used in the expression. The phrase a picture is worth a thousand words is usually referring to a physical illustration, but it is occasionally used as an exhortation to use description in one’s writing, rather than simply reciting facts.

Examples They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but what happens when a photo’s caption is said to be untrue? ( Lancaster Farming) The inspiration for my project, “A Picture’s Worth a Thousand Words: Using Art to Study Culture and History,” came when I taught 10th-graders in an advanced English class specific to the Cambridge International program. ( The Herald Tribune ) “It is often said that a picture is worth a thousand words,” U.S. District Judge William H. Pauley III wrote above three pictures depicting mice near and, in one case, resting on top of the device. (USA Today) If “a picture is worth a thousand words,” then think of the slide as the thousand words you won’t have time to say — a supportive addition to your words. ( Forbes Magazine )

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Expansion of an Idea – “A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words” for Students / Teachers / Parents

Explore the famous saying “A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words”. We believe that this phrase highlights the power of visual communication and the impact it can have on conveying complex ideas. Through our insightful articles, we provide a deeper understanding of the idiom and offer practical tips on how to enhance writing skills. Join us on this journey to become better communicators and harness the power of imagery.

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

The proverb “a picture is worth a thousand words” is a well-known saying that suggests that a single image can convey more information or meaning than a lengthy description or explanation. This proverb highlights the power of visual communication and the impact that an image can have on a viewer.

The expansion of this proverb could be that “a single image can convey a complex idea or emotion more effectively than a thousand words.” This proverb is applicable to various situations where words may fail to capture the full essence of a concept or emotion.

The proverb suggests that images can be incredibly powerful tools for communication, and can convey complex ideas or emotions in a way that is immediately understandable and relatable. It implies that images can have a stronger impact on a viewer than words alone, as they can evoke an emotional response and create a lasting impression.

Furthermore, this proverb encourages individuals to consider the use of visual communication in their own work, whether it be in art, design, or marketing. It reminds us that images have the power to tell a story, convey a message, and create a strong emotional connection with the viewer.

In conclusion, the proverb “a picture is worth a thousand words” highlights the power of visual communication and the impact that an image can have on a viewer. It encourages individuals to consider the use of images in their own work and to appreciate the effectiveness of visual communication in conveying complex ideas and emotions. It is a reminder that sometimes, a single image can speak louder than a thousand words.

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Justin Morgan

Is a Picture Worth a Thousand Words?

A picture can be worth a thousand words or even more but, as I will argue, that depends on who looks at it, why they look at it, and in what circumstances. In other words, a picture’s meaning is relative to the viewer, and changes as the viewer changes.

Once upon a time pictures had a significance greater than themselves but that was when only the most skilled artists working in a difficult medium were able to produce them. Now pictures are everywhere we look and their significance has diminished as a result.

We take them for granted, we no longer study them but give them a quick, practiced glance and move on to the next picture. Some pictures will hold our attention for a little longer because the subject is unusual or amusing but mostly we see pictures as we see cars, people, traffic lights, and buildings. They’re part of our environment and hardly register in our consciousness. In the public sphere, then, pictures are mostly background colors consisting of advertisements, posters and billboards. These pictures are not meant to do more than direct our attention to the brand name.

In some countries, public pictures include portraits of dictators that are designed to unify people or make them accept the dictator as their rightful leader or make them more obedient to the leader. Propaganda posters may also brighten those streets, along with social realist depictions of model citizens. Such pictures are easily recognized as having a message and are thus negated, canceled out by people who have been bombarded with too many pictures like them.

Private pictures, such as a drawing made by a child or photos of our loved ones fascinate us because they bring back memories or mark an occasion or may even fill us with the love and tenderness we feel for those persons. However, that is a highly subjective response, one that certainly does not hold true everywhere and at all times. In these pictures, only the subject speaks to us, and if we know the subject well, if we are emotionally involved with him or her, then that is what we think about or why we feel the way we do. In those pictures, it is the subject that communicates, not the picture itself.

We go to a museum to look at paintings but there it is the making of the picture that most interests the viewer. A painter does not just point and click. He or she must first learn the techniques required to paint a picture, and after that must make a thousand different decisions about the picture to be painted. The pose, the angle from which the subject is viewed, the lighting, the composition, and much more are worked out in quick sketches.

The end product is a human artifact, something created mostly by the artist’s hands with a little help from the industry. We look at the picture but also at the other aspects of the work. Students spend years copying masterpieces in order to learn the techniques employed by these artists, and as part of their studies, they interpret the paintings in the context of the artist’s time and his other works until by the end the picture speaks volumes to them. For most viewers, however, the experience of looking at Rembrandt or Vermeer is one of wonder; but are they more interested in the image or the draftsmanship?

Where photos and paintings are equal, however, is that the more the viewer brings to them, the more they will get out of them. That is not just true of pictures but also of visiting the places we have only seen in pictures. Perhaps so many tourists take pictures of the places they visit to look at them later when they are back in the comfort and safety of their own homes.

There, relaxed and with far more knowledge of those places, they can look at the pictures and get a new story from them made up equally of the subject and their experience of it; or to put it another way, they can see how their travels have changed them by looking at the pictures, and what the picture tells them will reflect those changes.

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Lesson Plan

Feb. 15, 2013, 8:12 p.m.

A picture is worth a thousand words

Art/Media, Social Studies, ELA, English, Civics

Estimated Time

Two class periods of 45 minutes, including one evening of homework

Grade Level

Grades 7-12

Students will analyze documentary photographs and discuss their context in the history of the United States. Students will evaluate the impact of the media on society Students will create journal entries and/or art inspired by subjects of famous documentary photographs.

While the expression “A picture is worth 1,000 words” is meant to convey that an image means more than “talk,” images can also compel us to volunteer, donate money, vote a certain way, or join a group. Discussion is just the beginning. Some attribute the expression, “Un bon croquis vaut mieux qu’un long discours,” or “A good sketch is better than a long speech” to emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. Photographs can be even more convincing, especially if they are not altered by digital editing software. Take a look at the cover photo for this lesson one more time. What do you see? How do you feel looking at the image? Why do you think the photographer took the picture?

Guatemalan migrant Corio, who is waiting for her court hearing for asylum seekers that returned to Mexico to await their legal proceedings under a new policy established by the U.S. government, baths her daughter at migrant shelter in Ciudad Juarez

Photographs can tell use about times and places where we have not been or remind us of details we may not have noticed in a given moment. A photographer, like any artist, can bring his or her own point of view into their work by choosing the setting, repositioning their subject, and even choosing the lighting conditions in which they shoot the picture. All of these choices influence how we see what the photographer wants us to see.

Sometimes, the subject is unaware of the impact that the photo being taken can have on others. Often, this is because the experience they are having while being photographed requires all of their attention, such as feeding hungry children, or even walking to school safely. The implications of what the image could become, 10, 50, or 100 years from now are hard to fathom.

Step 1 Explain to students that there are some photographs that pull in the viewer and are so compelling, they can evoke an emotion of motivation to act.

Share with students images linked below, and share the summaries of each image (included). Stress the simplicity of each image, and then, why an image can have historical significance. There are 4 examples below. Each link contains the image that can be projected on a screen in class, or viewed on a computer monitor.

Migrant Mother (1936)

In 1936 Dorothea Lange photographed a mother of seven who was a migrant worker. She was following the pea harvest but the ground was frozen, leaving nothing to pick. The mother was housing her family in a lean-to, having just sold the family tent and the tires off the family car. While she was 32 when the image was taken, she appears to be a much older woman. These images were used to document the work of the Resettlement Administration, later called the Farm Security Administration.

This image, called “Migrant Mother”, was immediately published in a San Francisco paper and the federal government sent 20,000 pounds of food to the camp where she was photographed. It is said that it inspired John Steinbeck to write “Grapes of Wrath”. Lange later said she was drawn to the site after completing her work, and mailing her film back to Washington, DC. She only shot five images, and did not approach anyone but Florence Owens Thompson at the camp.

Teacher note: Students may better understand the context of Dorothea Lange’s work by seeing other images she has taken throughout her career. Here is a Dorothea Lange slideshow from the Museum of Modern Art.

Dorothy Counts (1957)

In 1957, fifteen-year-old Dorothy Geraldine Counts and three other students became the first African American students to attend the previously all-white Harding High School in Charlotte, North Carolina. They were greeted by angry white mobs that screamed obscenities and racial slurs at the African American students. Counts’ picture appeared in many newspapers, as did others of black students attempting to attend white schools for the first time. Counts’ family feared for her safety and withdrew her from Harding and sent her to a completely integrated high school in Pennsylvania, after four days of her enduring the taunting. The image, by Douglas Martin for the Associated Press, was the photo of the year in 1957.

Later that year, language was added to the decision Brown Vs. Board Of Education that read that communities were to desegregate their schools “with all deliberate speed.”

Robert Kennedy is Assassinated (1968)

On June 5, 1968, Robert Kennedy learned that he had been nominated as the Democratic candidate for President, just months after the death of his brother, John Fitzgerald Kennedy had been captured on film. It was an assassin’s bullet that hit Robert Kennedy just after midnight in the Ambassador Hotel, as he exited the ballroom through the kitchen.

While there are theories about whether or not there was one assassin or two, it cannot be disputed that Kennedy was photographed in the arms of a 17-year old busboy named Juan Romero, a Mexican immigrant who later confessed that he traded tasks with his co-workers to meet his role model that evening. He’d been the subject of much discrimination at work and was inspired by Kennedy’s plans for The United States.

The politician was bleeding from the head as Romero supported him and offered prayers of comfort to his idol, who died 26 hours later. Bill Eppridge, a photojournalist who was assigned to cover the campaign captured the image. In 2004, Eppridge said, “It went through my mind not to take the picture, but this was history.”

Hubert Humphrey replaced Robert Kennedy as the democratic nominee for President, who was unable to defeat Richard Nixon. After Robert Kennedy’s assassination, the United States Secret Service provided protection to presidential candidates.

The Afghan Girl (1985, 2002)

In 2002, the face of another woman caught the attention of the world. Sharbat Gula, thought to be 29, was found in the mountains of Pakistan, some 17 years after an image of her piercing green eyes turned the attention of the world to the plight of refugees. Known since June 1985 as simply, “The Afghan Girl,” orphaned at six due to a Soviet bombing, her grandmother leads her on foot to various camps in Pakistan. She had never been photographed since that visit and was surprised that millions had seen her photo.

By examining patterns in her irises, the part of the eye that is a brilliant green, an ophthalmologist in Pakistan and a forensic examiner for the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Washington, D.C., confirmed that the girl in the image was Sharbat Gula. Her request to help girls, like her own, to receive a proper education resulted in the founding of a $1,000,000 project now called the Afghan Children’s Fund.

Step 2 Class discussion. Ask students to examine each of the photographs described in this lesson. What components of the image stand out? Is there a sign of weakness or strength? Does the image appear posed? Think about why the image was taken from the angle the photographer chose. Does it bring the viewer closer the subject? Are there details in the image that tell more of the story? Which elements bring up new questions?

Step 3 Be a journalist. Ask each student to select one photograph and write a headline for the newspaper story about the incident documented in the image. Follow the headline with a two-paragraph story summarizing a) what transpired as the photograph was being taken and b) what actions transpired after the event, such as a donation, or a political action. Think about what impact that action had on the individual in the photograph, and/or on the community in which they live.

Step 4 Journal idea. What right does the public have to see a photo of you? For each of the examples cited, at least one subject of the image did not experience a direct or immediate improvement in their lives after being photographed. Should the photographers tell subjects how their photographs would or could be used? Could a photographer predict this, in a moment, or would the moment be lost? If you are in a public place, should you have the right to refuse to be photographed? Do photographers have the right to ask subjects to stand a certain way in a documentary-style image, if it is for a “greater good”? Who decides?

In a journal or during a class discussion, consider how much of a choice these people had over being a part of history. Ask the student to take on the role of one of the following:

Florence Owens Thompson ("The Migrant Mother")
Dorothy Counts ("The student being harassed by a mob")
Sharbat Gula ("The Afghan Girl")
Jose Romero ("The Mexican busboy at the Ambassador Hotel")

Once they have selected their persona, have them write about their experience that day, before they knew they would be a part of history that was captured on film, such as getting ready for work or school. Ask the students to speculate how they encountered the photographer, and whether or not they spoke before the shudder clicked. Have the student include what they hope will happen, for themselves, their families, or others if the photograph is seen by others. Remind students to try to write about the concerns of their “subject,” who could be a mother or a scared young adult, as if they were “in their shoes.”

You can share with the students the following videos, which address the central issues addressed in each of the photographs. Allow approximately 5 minutes per video. If students connected with one image, they may choose to view the video that correlates with their image.

Colbert Stays In Character at Congressional Hearing on Farm Jobs
Author Examines Generations-Long Black ‘Defection from the Jim Crow South
Mexico’s Calderon Decries Immigration Status Quo
Video: NATO Afghan Troops Step Up Pressure on Taliban

Extension Activities

A photo essay is when it takes more than one image to tell a story. Often a photojournalist will revisit a site several times to document changes, or use different subjects, including buildings, animals, and bodies of water, to tell a whole story. While one image can become the “icon” for a movement, or even a decade, it is interesting to hear what photographers today think about why they shoot the images they do.

Photographers like Mario Tama of Getty Images use their art to tell the story of places like Haiti, Iraq and Afghanistan, but he took on the task of telling the story of New Orleans through images because the city was part of his own connection to the United States. He focuses not only on the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina, but on the individuals and families who are coming back to their home-city, and one family who never left.

Tama’s photo essay is focused on traditions, joy, and the resilience of the citizens who live in the Gulf Coast Region. You can view that here . As a class, or for homework (if students have access to the site at home) ask students to listen to the photographer’s story and listen to his voice as he describes the connections of the people of New Orleans to their city, and what concerns he has for New Orleans in the future. Does he choose to be a part of the events he shoots, or is he “a fly on the wall” trying to go unnoticed? What is happening with the proceeds from the sales of the book? Ask students to compare the style of photography Tama uses with the style in the portraits that were discussed in the lesson? How does he use color, lighting, and camera angle to engage the viewer? Think about how advances in photography, such as digital imagery and color, influence the kinds of images we see today. Are they more impactful? Less dramatic?

Ask students to bring in a photograph from their collection, or from research, that might influence someone to donate to a school, or help community (or an individual) in a certain way. The image should have at least one person or an animal in it, and have a sense of time or place that tells more of the story. Have the students be prepared to discuss why they chose their image, and the way in which it might motivate the audience to act, and to write a caption for the photograph that includes a call to action.

Some examples of photographer that telling the story of their own work can be found online at PBS NewsHour Classroom:

The Images of White House Photographer David Hume Kennerly, on Vietnam
The Photographs of Gerald Herbert on the Gulf Coast Oil Spill’s Effect on Wildlife

By Shannon Sullivan, Arlington, Va.

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Unlocking the Power of Visualization: ‘A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words’

by English Plus | Dec 12, 2023 | Word Power

Episode Audio

A picture is worth a thousand words, episode script, literal meaning (visual imagery over verbal description):, metaphorical meaning (effectiveness of visual communication):, expressive meaning (conveying complex ideas simply):, emotional impact (capturing emotions and atmosphere):, “a picture is worth a thousand words” in advertising:, “a picture is worth a thousand words” in journalism:, “a picture is worth a thousand words” in education:, “a picture is worth a thousand words” in presentations:, origin of “a picture is worth a thousand words”.

Join Danny on English Plus Express as we delve into the timeless expression, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” This episode explores the depth and versatility of this phrase, demonstrating the power of visual communication. Through engaging examples and real-life applications, we uncover the beauty of this expression and how it enhances our understanding of language and imagery. Whether you’re a language enthusiast or simply curious about the nuances of English expressions, this episode offers insights that will enrich your appreciation of language. Tune in and discover how a single picture can speak volumes!

Hey everyone! Welcome to English Plus Express. I’m Danny, your linguistic tour guide, ready to dive into the colorful world of expressions. Today’s journey takes us to a well-known saying that’s as vivid as it is profound: “A picture is worth a thousand words.”

Now, this isn’t just about photographs or paintings. It’s about the immense power of visualization. Ever tried explaining the sunset to someone? No matter how poetic your words, sometimes, only a picture can capture that fiery sky, right? That’s the essence of our expression today.

This saying dates back to the early 20th century, a time when advertising was just beginning to understand the impact of images. But let’s bring it to the present. Think about emojis. Yes, those tiny, colorful symbols. A single emoji can convey what might take a whole sentence. A smiling face with heart-eyes? That’s like saying, “I love this so much!” without typing a word. That’s our expression in action in the digital age.

But it’s not just about brevity. It’s about the depth of expression. Consider a photograph from a historical event, like the moon landing. That single image encapsulates excitement, achievement, and human endeavor, telling a story far beyond what words alone could.

Let’s turn to advertising. Ever seen a billboard with just a powerful image and a brand logo? That’s this expression at work. Advertisers know that an impactful image can convey a lifestyle, a feeling, or an aspiration more effectively than a paragraph of persuasive text.

Now, think about how you can use this in your life. Maybe you’re giving a presentation. Instead of crowding your slides with bullet points, why not use a striking image to make your point? It’s not only more effective but also more memorable.

In storytelling, too, this expression holds power. A good writer knows when to describe a scene in detail and when to let a metaphorical ‘picture’ do the talking. It’s about striking that perfect balance between words and imagery.

So, as you go about your day, think about how you can apply this expression. Maybe it’s in how you communicate with friends, in a creative project, or even in understanding the world around you.

Thank you for tuning into English Plus Express. If you’ve enjoyed exploring the vibrant world of expressions with me, don’t forget to follow, share, and maybe consider supporting us on Patreon for more enriching content. Your support helps us continue unraveling the fascinating aspects of language and communication. Until next time, keep appreciating the power of words and pictures in your everyday life!

Meanings of “A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words”

Example: In a photography class, the instructor might say, “Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words,” emphasizing the importance of conveying a story or emotion through imagery rather than lengthy explanations.

Example: A marketing professional explaining the concept of brand logos might say, “A picture is worth a thousand words; our logo needs to instantly communicate our brand’s values and appeal.”

Example: An architect might use this expression when showing a 3D model of a building design, suggesting that the model explains the concept more effectively than a verbal description: “As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.”

Example: Viewing a powerful historical photograph, one might reflect, “This really proves that a picture is worth a thousand words,” acknowledging the deep emotional impact that the image holds.

Collocations with “A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words”

Example: “In our latest campaign, we’ve focused on the principle that a picture is worth a thousand words, using impactful imagery to connect with our audience.”

Example: “In photojournalism, we often say a picture is worth a thousand words because a single photo can tell a story more powerfully than a written article.”

Example: “To help students understand complex concepts, I use visual aids because a picture is worth a thousand words.”

Example: “I’ve limited the text in my slides, adhering to the principle that a picture is worth a thousand words, to make the presentation more engaging.”

The origin of the phrase “A picture is worth a thousand words” is often attributed to Frederick R. Barnard, who used it in the advertising trade journal “Printers’ Ink” in 1921 to promote the effectiveness of graphics in advertising. However, the phrase was labeled as a Chinese proverb to give it more credibility. There is no direct evidence that it originated from a Chinese proverb. The essence of the phrase likely predates this attribution, as the idea that visual representation can communicate complex ideas effectively is a longstanding concept in many cultures. The exact etymological origin remains uncertain, but its widespread usage in the 20th century, particularly in advertising and journalism, solidified its place in the English language.

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A Picture Paints a Thousand Words (Origin)

What is the origin of the saying "a picture paints a thousand words", competing theory.

Examples of Use:

A picture paints a thousand words , conveying meaning and emotion more effectively than mere written or spoken descriptions.
Instead of explaining the scene in detail, he showed them a photograph, understanding that a picture paints a thousand words .
The artist beautifully captured the essence of the landscape in their painting, reminding us that a picture paints a thousand words .
In the age of social media, we often rely on images to tell stories, as a picture paints a thousand words in a single glance.
They say a picture paints a thousand words , and the powerful photograph of the historic moment certainly spoke volumes.

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More proverbs, sayings, and idioms.

This page was written by Craig Shrives .

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Quote Investigator®

Tracing Quotations

a picture is worth a thousand words

a picture is worth a thousand words also, a picture paints a thousand words

Meaning | Synonyms

a picture conveys information more effectively than words
a picture can tell a story just as well as many words
using graphics can convey ideas more effectively than a large number of words
graphic illustration conveys stronger messages than words

Example Sentences

A good presentation should contain more of graphics and less of text, since a picture is worth a thousand words .
In order to effectively convey the health hazards of smoking, a cigarette pack now contains a picture of diseased lungs, instead of just the statutory warning message. A picture is worth a thousand words .
The newspaper report carried more pictures of the event than text, since a picture is worth a thousand words .
Its easier to learn how a machine works from pictures rather than descriptions, since a picture is worth a thousand words .
It would be better if you drew out a map with the direction to the place rather than just telling me. A picture is worth a thousand words .
Jane’s reaction in the picture is so weird about her boss – someone truly said that a picture paints a thousand words .
Such a beautiful portrait of a little girl – represents how a picture paints a thousand words .

This phrase originated in America in the early 1900s. Its introduction is widely attributed to Frederick R. Barnard, an advertising executive. However, other references to its origin also exist.

Henrik Ibsen first said:

“A thousand words leave not the same deep impression as does a single deed.”

After he died in 1906 the phrase was plagiarised and rephrased into the present form we know today.

In March 1911, the Syracuse Advertising Men’s Club held a banquet to discuss journalism and advertising. In an article on The Post-Standard covering this event, the author mentioned Tess Flanders as saying: “Use a picture. It’s worth a thousand words.”

A similar phrase, “One Look Is Worth A Thousand Words”, appears in a 1913 newspaper advertisement for the Piqua Auto Supply House of Piqua, Ohio .

The most likely origin and also the oldest printed record of the phrase in its exact form is believed to be in 1918 in an American newspaper, The San Antonio Light, which first published it in an advertisement for the paper itself, which reads:

One Picture is Worth a Thousand Words The San Antonio Light’s Pictorial Magazine of the War Exemplifies the truth of the above statement—judging from the warm reception it has received at the hands of the Sunday Light readers.

Share your opinions 1 Opinion

The information about the historical origin: In fact, Arthur Brisbane (not Tess Flanders) is quoted in saying “Use a picture. It’s worth a thousand words”. There are two articles (within a month of each other) that report this phrase. The first uses quotation marks which, after tracing whom the journalist is referring to, in fact does refer to Brisbane. The second is written by Brisbane who uses the phase unquoted. Both articles corroborate with additional quotations attributed to and given by Brisbane, and in reference to the same event.

‒ Brian July 14, 2021

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ESL Writing Activity – A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words

Teaching Writing
January 14, 2021

The old expression, “a picture is worth a thousand words,” can be turned into a challenging ESL writing activity.

It may be accomplished in one session or as an assignment followed by a presentation in another class as an extension.

And it works best with middle school, high school, university, and adult ESL learners from between A2–C2 on the CEFR scale.

Read on to see what you need to know about incorporating this ESL writing activity into your classes.

Break your class into teams. If you can mix levels and cultures in your groupings, even better.
For homogenous classes, the photos you select should have some cultural significance. If a mixed-culture class, try settling on images that aren’t overtly offensive and relate to everyone.
You can use the same picture for everyone or a different picture for each group. The following are only examples of images you can use:

Again, these are only ideas, but be sure you have categories for your photos (e.g. historical images, technology, sci-fi, fantasy, business, finances, family, nature, social issues, etc.). It would be difficult to use each of these categories in one class.

Using one genre at a time offers a focus on writing. It also reinforces common vocabulary and at times, common grammatical structure. Members will understand that their text must relate to one category or subject and gain focus.

Using Comic Strips to Teach English

A Thousand Words

The thousand words in the title isn’t a target word count. Class members can only do what they’re capable of doing. On the other hand, learners are challenged to think of what to say about the picture with as many words as they can effectively and efficiently utilize within the allotted time or writing parameters.

And the best part is they’re not working on it alone. The following ideas will help you settle on an approach for your activity.

They can create a story.

Using a picture as the backdrop, teams can write intriguing stories that captivate the readers. This approach facilitates longer texts and more detail.

They can create an advertisement.

Challenge learners to examine the picture for something that might be advertised. Then they write an advertisement. This method would require less words but more creativity.

They can make a humorous narrative.

Select a humorous image or images. Then students take the idea and develop a humorous short story. This helps them master the language by bending it to create the humor.

They can turn it into a news report.

If the image lends itself to a type of news category, learners can be tasked to write a three-minute news report on it. Going this route would require more formal language.

The possibilities are various for a creative ESL teacher. And, as team members work together, they can help each other overcome weaker areas through others with stronger skills. Care should be taken not to allow one member of the group to dominate the writing, however. That would defeat the purpose of what we’re doing here.

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After constructing the text, students submit it to you to check for errors. The reason it needs to be checked first is because you don’t want class members to speak or hear inaccurate grammar.

As teachers, we want to work toward positive reinforcement of the language structure. Another, more personal reason, is that you don’t want whoever is presenting to feel embarrassed by potentially poor grammar.

Once you’ve provided feedback, and the team edits the text, it’s time to present. You can display the image on a projector or use something as simple as a printout. One member of the class can read their text while the class listens.

As the teacher, you can take note of pronunciation issues. Another idea is to have each member of the team read a paragraph or section. This involves everyone in the group from start to finish.

ESL Speaking Activity – Daily News

Competitive Twists

If your class is so inclined, you can turn “A Pic/1,000 Words” into a competition using the following ideas.

1. Word Count

Determine the winners based on a simple word count. It’s a little weak, but it works for a one-class/hour activity. Of course, you’ll want to create criteria for the word count such as not allowing a certain number of repeated words.

TESOL Teaching Skills: Differences Between Speaking and Writing

2. Descriptors

Another angle is counting the accurate descriptors. The team with the widest range of description wins. For this, you might have descriptors for each picture already listed privately and use them as a checklist for each team’s work.

3. Grammatical Accuracy

Another variation is judging the grammatical accuracy. A checklist would be good to keep it fair. For example, you could construct a checklist with various grammar issues and tick each box when you come across one. The team with the least number of errors wins.

4. Put Them All Together

If you want something for advanced or even university classes, you can put all the afore-mentioned criteria together into a checklist.

Then, look for accurate word choices, cohesiveness, and overall impact of the narrative.

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If this is something you want to keep within a timeframe, you can set a time limit. For example, if you want to limit it to one class period, give 20 minutes to write.

For an assignment, you can give 24 hours. This is more challenging while limiting the time needed to complete the activity.

Language Goals

Of course, as ESL teachers, we do not just have arbitrary activities to keep people occupied in class. There should be purpose and goals to what we do in class.

That said, A Picture Is Worth 1,000 Words, targets the following primary and secondary ESL areas:

1. Writing Skills (Primary)

The target for this activity is to develop creative writing skills.

Writing skills involve accurate use of lexis and structure combined with the ability to tie it all together into a cohesive message.

As ESL learners work through their text together, they can each contribute something.

2. Speaking Skills (Secondary)

By asking each team to present their text orally, they’re challenged to produce the language clearly. They’ll develop reading fluency and more accurate pronunciation with the help of teacher feedback.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been looking for something to liven up your writing lessons or your ESL classes in general, A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words, can do the trick.

Furthermore, each team has the chance to use their imagination to write the text that matches the image and the assigned genre.

Finally, you can provide fun or interesting images that stimulate thinking and produce writing aimed at English language development.

And that’s our goal as ESL teachers.

Give it a try and let us know how it went.

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1 thought on “ESL Writing Activity – A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words”

Dear sir/ma’am. Thank you for the interesting idea that I could definitely use for higher grade elementary and junior high students. I have a lesson I use with my students where they retell the turtle and the rabbit fable. But I have them retell it in a crazy way. I put them into groups over three lessons. The first lesson is going over vocabulary like linking words and descriptive adjectives. I tell the story with some comprehension questions. The second lesson, they are put into groups and given time to write their stories. I would give feedback with error corrections. The third lesson, they rewrite their stories nice and neat and draw and color some pictures and put it all together on poster board and we would hang em up outside the class on the walls for everyone to see. It’s a great lesson, only downside is it takes too much time. Thanks again, Daniel Jones

A picture is worth a thousand words

A visual image can convey an idea or an emotion more effectively than words.

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words – But Not Dollars: A New York Court Case Explains

Have you ever snapped a picture at a store opening or a friend's event, only to find yourself unexpectedly captured in someone else's social media post? You might wonder if that's okay, especially if the person who posted it's a celebrity. This week, a New York appeals court tackled this very question in a case involving reality TV star Kim Kardashian, Barbetta v. NBCUniversal Media, LLC . The case centered around a photo posted on social media that accidentally included someone in the background. The person who appeared in the background sued Kardashian, claiming their image was used to promote her business. But the court ultimately disagreed.

The Lawsuit and the New York Right to Privacy

Many states, including New York, have laws that protect people’s right to privacy. In New York, there’s a specific law, called Section 50 of the Civil Rights Law, that says it’s illegal to use someone’s image in advertisements without their permission. This law is meant to protect people from having their face or likeness used to sell products or services without their say-so. In this case, the person suing, let’s call them Ms. Smith, argued that even though they were just in the background of Kardashian’s photo, it was essentially an advertisement because it showed them unknowingly endorsing Kardashian’s brand, the DASH Boutique. Ms. Smith claimed this brought her unwanted attention and potentially damaged her reputation.

The Court’s Decision and Why the Law Didn’t Apply

The court, however, ruled that the law only applies in specific situations. They looked closely at how the photo was being used and determined it wasn't promoting anything. The person suing was simply captured in the background of a casual social media post, not a staged advertisement. The court explained that the law is meant to go after situations where someone's image is deliberately used to sell something, not when it's just an incidental part of a social media snapshot.

What This Means for You in the Age of Social Media

This case highlights the difference between someone using your image for commercial purposes and simply capturing you unintentionally in a photo they share online. If you're concerned about someone using your photo without permission, it's important to consider the context. The law protects you from having your image used to sell products, but it doesn't necessarily apply to every time you appear in the background of a social media post.

A copy of the Barbetta Decision is enclosed: https://www.nycourts.gov/reporter/3dseries/2024/2024_02514.htm

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Photos of the year: Some of Brevard's best pictures so far in 2024

A photo, it is said, is worth a thousand words.

If that's the case, FLORIDA TODAY photographers Malcolm Denemark, Craig Bailey and Tim Shortt are epic novelists, visually capturing moments across the Space Coast to share with you.

Each week, with the photographers' suggestions, we feature a photo that exemplifies both the quality of the moment and the quality of the image.

You can find the individual photos in our print edition every Sunday or you can check out what's made the gallery of Photos of the Week so far this year.

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You are here, a picture worth a thousand words.

With technology playing such an integral part of our ability to effectively manage crop production, it makes sense that it also plays a key role in effective scouting. One of the simplest technologies (now, anyway) is taking a good picture to share with a trusted advisor, a farmer client, or even via a phone app. If a picture is worth a thousand words, let’s make it a good one.

Several small green seedlings with a finger to demonstrate size

I often receive images via text or email. One person asking for an identification and management recommendation for an insect, weed, or disease. Another person asking about a possible nutrient deficiency or abiotic issue. A good image can help lead to a fast and accurate diagnosis of the pest or other crop issue. Occasionally, advisors receive poor images that result in further confusion or back-and-forth messages to get a better image. As we start scouting emerged crops, take a look at these reminders (based on a list from the Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic ) to make sure you capture pictures that truly are worth a thousand words.

Use a good camera to take images. Cell phones do a great job of capturing high-quality images, but digital cameras work well, too!
Several pictures are always better than one.
Take pictures of the whole plant, pest, or other issue. It’s important to get the “big picture” of the field or problem.
Take close-up images of any specific features that may be necessary for diagnosis. Patterns, specific symptoms, special traits or structures can all help.
Take images in good lighting.
Tapping the cell phone screen can adjust the focus automatically.
Push the capture button down halfway to focus most point-and-shoot digital cameras.
Some cameras and cell phones have macro imagery options or attachments to take clear close-up images.
Insects can be tough to capture, but sticking them in a cooler or refrigerator can help get a focused image.
Include a standard size reference like a coin, ruler, or tape measure. Even a finger will work in a pinch!
Check your images before sending! I often take many images of an issues but always check to make sure they are in focus and accurately depict the issue.

An image depicting a small piece of stem covered in spines with a quarter for a size reference.

I hope your 2024 growing season is full of great pictures, easy diagnoses, and a lot of walking. Check out these other resources for scouting tips and tricks!

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Meaghan Anderson Field Agronomist in Central Iowa

Meaghan Anderson is a field agronomist in central Iowa and an extension field specialist at Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Educational programming is available for farmers, agribusinesses, pesticide applicators, certified crop advisors, and other individuals interested in...

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A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words Meaning with Helpful Examples • 7ESL
Albert Einstein Quote: “One picture is worth a thousand words.” (12
A picture worth a thousand words essay sample
⇉A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words Essay Example
Albert Einstein Quote: “One picture is worth a thousand words.” (12

COMMENTS

A picture is worth a thousand words
A pic with thousands words. Meaning. Seeing something is better for learning than having it described. Original form. "A thousand words leave not the same deep impression as does a single deed." Coined by. Henrik Ibsen. " A picture is worth a thousand words " is an adage in multiple languages meaning that complex and sometimes multiple ideas [1 ...
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
The origin of the proverbial saying " a picture is worth a thousand words " comes from a reinterpretation of previous expressions in the early 1800s. The Works of Mr. James Thomson, published in 1802 has the earliest rendition of the phrase as the following. " One timely deed is worth ten thousand words ".
'A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words': Definition, Meaning, Examples
There are other ways to express the fact that a picture explains something better than words. Here are some of them: A picture paints a thousand words. Every picture tells a story. It's better to see something once than to hear about it a thousand times. Seeing once is better than hearing twice. Show, don't tell.
Napoleon Bonaparte: 'A picture is worth a thousand words.'
A picture is worth a thousand words. "A picture is worth a thousand words." This famous quote by Napoleon Bonaparte encapsulates the idea that visual imagery has the power to convey a profound message or story more effectively than a mere description could ever achieve. It speaks to the inherent ability of images to evoke emotions, provoke ...
A picture is worth a thousand words
A picture is worth a thousand words. "A picture is worth a thousand words" suggests that a picture contains far more in its colors and content than 1,000 words ever could. E.g. The photograph captured the emotion of the moment perfectly; a picture is worth a thousand words. Related terms: Imagery, symbolism, metaphor.
What Does a Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words Mean?
A picture is worth a thousand words. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The idiomatic and proverbial expression a picture is worth a thousand words is used to convey that a picture, or image, or graphic illustration may better convey or describe something than many written or spoken words—that it may be easier, and much faster, to just ...
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words: Understanding This ...
Fred R. Barnard, an advertising executive, is credited with popularizing the phrase. In a 1927 issue of Printers' Ink, he wrote, "A picture is worth a thousand words.". The phrase has since become a popular adage, used to convey the idea that a visual representation can convey a message more effectively than a written or spoken description.
A picture is worth a thousand words
This article has 471 words and two pictures - take your pick. This phrase emerged in the USA in the early part of the 20th century. Its introduction is widely attributed to Frederick R. Barnard, who published a piece commending the effectiveness of graphics in advertising with the title "One look is worth a thousand words", in Printer's Ink, December 1921.
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
Example #1: "A picture is worth a thousand words, but sometimes a word is worth a thousand pictures.". Example #2: "Solomon stared at Mona Lisa's portrait, feeling mesmerized, he said to himself, 'a picture is worth a thousand words.Her smile, her eyes says it all." Example #3: "The manager asked the team to add more graphics for the presentation because a picture is worth a ...
A Picture's Worth a Thousand Words: From Image to Detailed Narrative
As Rochelle I. Frei (1999) explains, art "can be used the same way as written text can to expand children's knowledge of the world, and to understand what children do when they make sense of that world. . . . Art can provide a window into how children negotiate their understandings of images and their knowledge of the world" (386).
a picture is worth a thousand words
The meaning of A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS is —used to say that it is often easier to show something in a picture than to describe it with words.
A picture is worth a thousand words
The phrase a picture is worth a thousand words means a picture may convey an idea more quickly and effectively than the written word. Writers of texts that describe concepts involving imagery or abstract thoughts need many words to get their points across. A photograph, artwork, drawing or graphics can often demonstrate an idea with one look ...
A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words Meaning with Helpful Examples
A picture is worth a thousand words is a phrase which talks about how a visual image can mean a lot more than words. When trying to explain a profound meaning behind a situation, person or item, you can spend hours trying to describe it with words and yet a simple picture of the thing can explain it much more quickly and efficiently.
Expansion of an Idea
The proverb "a picture is worth a thousand words" is a well-known saying that suggests that a single image can convey more information or meaning than a lengthy description or explanation. This proverb highlights the power of visual communication and the impact that an image can have on a viewer. The expansion of this proverb could be that ...
Is a Picture Worth a Thousand Words? An Empirical Study of Image
The old idiom "A picture is worth a thousand words" has become the new maxim among social media marketers. While many studies have examined the determinants that drive virality or effectiveness in the context of user-generated content (UGC), ...
Is a Picture Worth a Thousand Words?
Words: 706 Pages: 2. A picture can be worth a thousand words or even more but, as I will argue, that depends on who looks at it, why they look at it, and in what circumstances. In other words, a picture's meaning is relative to the viewer, and changes as the viewer changes. Once upon a time pictures had a significance greater than themselves ...
A picture is worth a thousand words
Overview. While the expression "A picture is worth 1,000 words" is meant to convey that an image means more than "talk," images can also compel us to volunteer, donate money, vote a ...
Unlocking the Power of Visualization: 'A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words'
The origin of the phrase "A picture is worth a thousand words" is often attributed to Frederick R. Barnard, who used it in the advertising trade journal "Printers' Ink" in 1921 to promote the effectiveness of graphics in advertising. However, the phrase was labeled as a Chinese proverb to give it more credibility.
"A Picture Paints a Thousand Words"
The term "a picture paints a thousand words" means a visual presentation is far more descriptive than words. The origin of "a picture paints a thousand words" is usually attributed to the newspaper editor Arthur Brisbane (1864-1936), who, in a 1911 newspaper article, advocated the use of images with the advice "Use a picture. It's worth a ...
A Picture Is Worth Ten Thousand Words
(1) A picture is worth ten thousand words (2) A picture is worth a thousand words. (3) One picture is worth a ten thousand words. (4) One picture is worth a thousand words. This saying has been attributed to prominent U.S. newspaper editor Arthur Brisbane, advertising executive Frederick R. Barnard, and Chinese sage Confucius.
a picture is worth a thousand words
A picture is worth a thousand words. The newspaper report carried more pictures of the event than text, since a picture is worth a thousand words. Its easier to learn how a machine works from pictures rather than descriptions, since a picture is worth a thousand words. It would be better if you drew out a map with the direction to the place ...
ESL Writing Activity
The old expression, "a picture is worth a thousand words," can be turned into a challenging ESL writing activity. It may be accomplished in one session or as an assignment followed by a presentation in another class as an extension. And it works best with middle school, high school, university, and adult ESL learners from between A2-C2 on ...
A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words Essay
9/11: A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words. minutes after the pentagon attack a catastrophe turn for the worst was made in New York when one of the towers collapsed in a cloud of dust. 30 minutes later another tower collapsed in a mountain of smoke. 3000 people where killed during these attacks out of these causalities firefighters and medical ...
A picture is worth a thousand words
A picture is worth a thousand words definition: . See examples of A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS used in a sentence.
A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words
Latest Posts. A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words - But Not Dollars: A New York Court Case Explains; Microsoft Corporation Leads the Artificial Intelligence Industry in Bearing Liability for ...
A Picture May Be Worth 1,000 Words, but Is It Worth a Letter? Examining
A Picture May Be Worth 1,000 Words, but Is It Worth a Letter? ... (a picture of a bear and a picture of a pear) or with letter labels (a capital B and P). Results: ... a benefit to research and practice because letter labels can be used for nonimageable words and nonwords, whereas images may be best used for participants who are younger or have ...
A Picture Is Worth 1,000 Words: A Reflection on Art-Based Assignments
DOI: 10.1080/15244113.2024.2341472 Corpus ID: 269400180; A Picture Is Worth 1,000 Words: A Reflection on Art-Based Assignments for the Study of Traditional Jewish Texts @article{Jaffe2024API, title={A Picture Is Worth 1,000 Words: A Reflection on Art-Based Assignments for the Study of Traditional Jewish Texts}, author={Yael Jaffe}, journal={Journal of Jewish Education}, year={2024}, url={https ...
Photos of the year: Some of Brevard's best pictures so far in 2024
A photo, it is said, is worth a thousand words. If that's the case, FLORIDA TODAY photographers Malcolm Denemark, Craig Bailey and Tim Shortt are epic novelists, visually capturing moments across ...
A Picture Worth a Thousand Words
A Picture Worth a Thousand Words. With technology playing such an integral part of our ability to effectively manage crop production, it makes sense that it also plays a key role in effective scouting. One of the simplest technologies (now, anyway) is taking a good picture to share with a trusted advisor, a farmer client, or even via a phone app.
Infinity Boss Queen
107 likes, 7 comments - theinfiniteonelives on February 17, 2024: "A picture is worth a thousand words. Behind the scenes of the exhibition. #art #artexhibition #realityshow #comingsoon #fineart".

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'A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words': Definition, Meaning, Examples

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Napoleon Bonaparte: 'A picture is worth a thousand words.'

Maureen O'Hara: 'The Queen Mary was the most civilized and luxurious way one could travel to America in the late 1930s.'

What Does a Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words Mean?

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A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

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Is a Picture Worth a Thousand Words?

A picture is worth a thousand words