Structural Features Content Analysis Project

DATE: SEPTEMBER 12, 1997

 

 

 

CODING MANUAL: TIMEPOINT VARIABLES

 

 

INSTRUCTIONS:

 

1. Identify timepoint(s) to code by consulting either the list of Reliability Timepoints or the list of Individual Coder Timepoints. Follow the instructions on that list. If you have questions, contact Cheryl Bracken.

 

2. Take the tape, and if appropriate the list of Reliability Timepoints, to the graduate editing room (first floor Annenberg -- the access code is 125).

 

3. Choose a VCR/monitor based on the following list of priority (i.e., use the first VCR/monitor on this list that is not already being used):

 

          Bench 3 - Right monitor

          Bench 1 - Left monitor

          Bench 1 - Right monitor

          Bench 4 - Left monitor

          Bench 4 - Right monitor

          Bench 6 - Left monitor

          Bench 6 - Right monitor

          Bench 5 - Left monitor

          Bench 5 - Right monitor

          Bench 3 - Left monitor [as of July 1997 this deck is allowing the tape to "slip"; do not use it]

 

It may be necessary to reserve VCR/monitor(s) for the time you will be using them. There is a reservation sheet posted outside of the room.

 

4. Turn on the monitor and the VCR. Before inserting the tape into the machine, copy from the tape label the information requested at the beginning of the Coding Sheet.

 

5. Insert the tape into the machine and rewind the tape to the beginning.

 

6. Make sure you are familiar with all of the Guidelines for Using the Video Equipment and General Rules listed below. Reread them if necessary.

 

7. Complete the Coding Sheet CAREFULLY; read and reread the DEFINITIONS and NOTES in this Coding Manual for each question, and consult the glossary of terms (the complete glossary is a separate document), as you code. If you have questions contact Jennifer Snyder.

 

 

GUIDELINES FOR USING VIDEO EQUIPMENT:

 

1. The "Reset" button is on the upper left or upper right corner of the machine. Use this button when the coding sheet instructs you to set the counter to zero.

 

2. do not keep one image paused on the screen longer than necessary. If the machine is kept in pause mode for a certain amount of time, it will stop automatically to avoid excess wear on the tape, and you will risk losing the exact starting point for coding.

 

3. Use the knob to "jog" and "shuttle" through the tape. DO NOT USE THE "FAST-FORWARD" OR "REWIND" BUTTONS unless you are finished coding. These functions are more likely to strain the tape and cause "slippage" in the time-counter. Also use "Pause" rather than "Stop" -- again, this lessens the risk of straining the tape and of losing the exact starting point.

 

4. Avoid switching directions (forward to reverse) suddenly or repeatedly switching from "jog" to "shuttle" modes.

 

5. As you move slowly through the tape, you will notice horizontal lines that serve as dividers between frames. Keep in mind that a frame is complete only when those dividers are not visible. When looking for a complete frame, move the knob slightly forward or back until the divider disappears.

 

 

GENERAL RULES [READ AND REREAD THESE OFTEN!!!]

 

1. If you can not easily decide how to code something, first reread all of the relevant DEFINITIONS and NOTES in the coding manual, then reread these General Rules to see if one or more of them applies. If you still can not easily decide how to code, CONTACT JENNIFER SNYDER AND DESCRIBE THE GENERAL PROBLEM (DO NOT DESCRIBE THE SPECIFIC PROBLEM; DO NOT CONSULT ANY OTHER CODER(S). If you can not reach JENNIFER, write a complete description of the problem/issue and staple it to the back of the coding sheet. Note the problem on the appropriate space of the coding sheet.

 

2. A formal feature (including a credit, graphic, id logo, program segment, etc.) begins with the first frame in which the feature appears in a complete, "normal", "faded in" image and ends with the last frame in which the feature appears in a complete, "normal", "not faded out" image. Both the image and the specific formal feature must be complete, “normal”, and “faded in”/”not faded out”. Unless specifically instructed to do so, DO NOT CODE VARIABLES THAT OCCUR IN TRANSITIONS between one image and another or an image and a blank screen - instead move the tape forward past the transition.

 

3. DO NOT reset the timer to zero unless the coding sheet specifically instructs you to do so.

 

4. Do not use the television content or form that precedes or follows the exact 10 second interval selected for coding to answer any coding items unless you are specifically instructed to do so.

 

5. For variables in which hours, minutes, and seconds, but not frames are requested, round to the nearest second: if the frame number is 15 or above, round up to the next second; if the frame number is 14 or below, round down to the previous second.

 

6. ALL elements of a program or program segment must be interrupted ("go away") in order to code a program interruption or end of program segment as having occurred (i.e., that a new segment has begun).

 

7. Content that is animated should be coded just as live action content is. For example, camera movement, camera shot length, music, special visual effects, special audio effects, etc. all can exist in animation, even if they are created in a different way. Therefore, all general rules and notes that apply to live action also apply to animation.

 

8. If there are two or more separate pictures (simultaneous video pictures) on the screen, code variables in the individual pictures unless a response option "Simultaneous video pictures" is offered or the definitions and notes for the variable instruct otherwise.

 

9. If the screen contains only ONE picture and it does not occupy the entire screen, code variables within that picture.
     Images can naturally contain other images (as when a television is shown in the background) -- these background images should not be considered separately.
     In cases where two pictures appear in the same space on the screen (e.g., in music video when two different views of an artist are shown, overlapping each other), if one of the pictures appears to be dominant, code only that picture. If neither picture is dominant, DO NOT consider changes in the individual pictures to apply to the overall image.

 

 

 

 

10. For transitions other than cuts (e.g., fades, dissolves, wipes, etc.) consider the end of the first shot to be the last frame during which a completely unchanged, normal image appears; the next shot begins on the first frame during which all indications of the transition are gone and a normal image appears; all frames between these two constitute the duration of the transition.
    Unless specifically instructed to do so, DO NOT code variables for images during these transitions. For example, if the first frame of the 10 second interval is in the middle of a transition, instead of coding that frame move to the first normal image following that frame and code that image.

 

11. Do not code camera movements that are so subtle and brief that they can not be clearly identified as actual camera movements.

 

12. For all variables that record durations of structural features, note that the coded durations will always be one frame less than the actual durations. So if an inter-segment interval is just one frame in duration, proper coding would be to record the duration as zero frames.

 

 

GLOSSARY OF SELECTED TERMS [READ AND REREAD THESE OFTEN!!!]

(A separate document contains a complete glossary)

 

Anchor frame - the frame that follows the first cut (not dissolve or other transition) that follows the timepoint frame; it is used to avoid problems due the tape counter slipping as a result of moving the tape back and forth during coding.

Timepoint frame - the frame that begins the 10 second interval used for coding a given randomly selected timepoint value.

Frame - an individual photograph on a video tape; when a tape is played at normal speed 30 frames are shown in rapid succession during every second, creating the illusion of motion.

Image - the contents of the entire viewing screen.

Picture - a self-contained, bordered representation of objects, entities, etc.; there may be more than one picture in a given image.

Response option - a specific value among a set of exhaustive and mutually exclusive values that the coder selects when coding a variable by placing an "x" or a number in the appropriate space.

Screen - the physical border that encloses the image on a television set.

Variable - an operationalization of a concept that varies, with an exhaustive and mutually exclusive set of values represented by response options. Also referred to as "item" or "question".

 

 


CODING SHEET 2:

TIMEPOINT VARIABLES

 

                                                                                                                                Date of coding: ______________

Name of coder:_______________________________                                             Date of entry: ______________

 

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Sampling information [Copy from tape label]

 

TAPE#: __ __ __ __

 

Recorded on: MOnth: __ __  DaTe: __ __  YeaR: 9 5

 

DAY of week:

(1.) Sunday               _____ [1]

(2.) Monday             _____ [2]

(3.) Tuesday             _____ [3]

(4.) Wednesday        _____ [4]

(5.) Thursday            _____ [5]

(6.) Friday                _____ [6]

(7.) Saturday             _____ [7]

 

Time: HOUR: __ __  AM / PM (circle one)

 

CHANNEL: _______

 

[Copy from table of random time points:]

 

INTERVal #: _________ [1-8]   Hours:__ __   Minutes: __ __   Seconds: __ __

_________________________________________________________________________________________

******************************************************************************************

INSTRUCTIONS FOR LOCATING TIMEPOINT

 

1. Make sure tape is rewound to beginning.

2. Move the tape forward to the frame that follows the first cut (a complete image change between one frame and another, not a dissolve or other transition) in the recording (use the editing wheel to make sure you watch all of the images at the very beginning of the tape; move to the frame that follows the first cut even if the image at that frame is flawed because it is so close to the beginning of the recording; do not consider the first frame of the recording itself to be a cut; the transition from a blue screen with date/time/channel of the recording to the recording itself should be considered the first cut; a complete transition from blank screen to full image or full image to blank screen is a cut).

3. Set counter to zero (i.e., 00:00:00:00).

4. Move the tape forward exactly one minute (i.e., until counter reads 00:01:00:00).

5. Set counter to zero.

6. IF YOU ARE DOING RELIABILITY CODING:

Check the list of random timepoints for the tape you are coding.

** If someone else has filled in the location of anchor frame and descriptions of anchor and timepoint frames, you can press stop and then fast forward to move the tape to the timepoint frame. Be sure to confirm that you have identified the same exact frame as the person who filled out the form. If the location of an anchor frame that you find is different than the one written on the list of random timepoints, use the location written on the list, rather than the location you’ve identified. IF YOU CANNOT FIND THE CORRET IMAGE NOTIFY CHERYL BRACKEN IMMEDIATELY!! Code variable 1 using information from the list of timepoints, then skip to variable 2 and continue coding.

** If no one has filled in the location of anchor frame and descriptions of anchor and timepoint frames, continue with these instructions.

7. Move the tape forward to the exact random time point from the list of timepoints you are using. NOTE: The list of random time points lists only minutes and seconds, not frames. Therefore, at every starting timepoint, the last two digits on the counter (the frame counter) should be zero (00).

8. Set counter to zero.

9. Play the next 10 seconds of tape.

10. Code variable 1and then follow the instructions after variable 1.

 

1. How many segment genres in 10 seconds?

_____[1] One [follow appropriate instructions below]

_____[2] Two [follow appropriate instructions below]

_____[3] Three or more [follow appropriate instructions below]

 

FULL QUESTION:

How many different segment genres are contained within the 10 second?

 

DEFINITIONS & EXAMPLES:

Segment - uninterrupted portion of one programming element (e.g., program, advertisement, promotional announcement, public service announcement, or bumper); segments are typically separated by inter-segment intervals, which typically are short periods during which the screen is black and no sound is heard (although the inter-segment interval sometimes is quite short or even nonexistent, in which case only a cut separates segments).

 

Segment genre - a category of programming element. The particular types are defined under variable 2.

 

NOTES:

·        In any 10 second interval there may be more segments than segment genres (e.g., two commercials in a row represent two segments but only one segment genre).

·        A technical mistake that causes a very brief appearance of part of a segment (e.g., a commercial not scheduled to be shown) should not be considered a separate segment.

·        Distinct portions of a segment that are nevertheless part of the segment should not be coded as a separate segment. This includes, for example, a miscellaneous program-related element, the end of a commercial in which information for ordering a product is shown, or a presentation at the end of segment of news describing what is "coming up next.

·        Note that a program bumper is a specific type of segment genre and therefore should be coded as a separate segment genre.

 

________________________________________________________________________________________

 

INSTRUCTIONS FOR LOCATING TIMEPOINT (CONTINUED)

 

IF THERE IS ONE SEGMENT GENRE IN 10 SECOND INTERVAL:

1. Move the tape to zero. This is the TIMEPOINT FRAME and all variables in this Coding Sheet will be based on this exact timepoint.

2. Move the tape forward to the frame that follows the first cut that follows this timepoint frame -- this is the ANCHOR FRAME for the timepoint frame (remember that a cut is a complete image change between one frame and another, not a dissolve or other transition; a complete transition from blank screen to full image or full image to blank screen is a cut).

3. Record the minutes, seconds, and frames of this anchor frame below, and if the timepoint came from the list of Reliability Timepoints record it on that list as well.

 

LOCATION OF ANCHOR FRAME FOR THIS TIMEPOINT

 

Anchor frame:   __ __ minutes      __ __ seconds      __ __ frames

 

4. FOR RELIABILITY CODING: If no coder has filled in the information on the list of Reliability Timepoints, write your anchor frame, a brief description of the image, and your initials in the spaces provided.

5. Go to question 2.

 

IF THERE ARE TWO SEGMENT GENRES IN 10 SECOND INTERVAL:

1. Move the tape to the last frame of the segment genre that was in progress at the random time point.

2. Reset counter to zero.

3. Move the tape back 20 seconds.

4. Reset timer to zero.

5. Play the next 10 seconds of tape.

          * If there is only one segment genre in these 10 seconds follow the instructions in the previous section

           for "If there is one segment genre in 10 second interval";

          * If there are two segment genres in these 10 seconds go back to instruction 1directly above.

          * If there are three or more segment genres in these 10 seconds go to the instructions below for "If

           there are three or more segment genres in 10 second interval"

 

IF THERE ARE THREE OR MORE SEGMENT GENRES IN 10 SECOND INTERVAL:

1. Move tape to the first frame of the segment genre in progress at the random time point.

2. Reset timer to zero.

3. You will need to code only this segment genre even though it is less than 10 seconds long (most likely a bumper, station identification, or promotional spot). Complete variable 1a below.

 

 

1a. Duration of segment genre to be coded?

          __ __ seconds     __ __ frames

 

 

4. Now that one segment genre has been identified for coding, follow the instructions in the previous section for "If there is one segment genre in 10 second interval"

 

__________________________________________________________________________________________

 

10 SECOND INTERVAL VARIABLES

 

__________________________________________________________________________________________

 

2. What is the segment genre?

Comedy

_____ [01] Situation comedy                                  (Title:______________________________________________)

_____ [02] Other                                     (Describe/Title:______________________________________________)

 

Drama

_____ [03] Medical drama                                     (Title:______________________________________________)

_____ [04] Crime/legal/mystery drama                    (Title:______________________________________________)

_____ [05] Science fiction/fantasy/horror                (Title:______________________________________________)

_____ [06] Other                                     (Describe/Title:______________________________________________)

 

Serial

_____ [07] Daytime soap opera                             (Title:______________________________________________)

_____ [08] Prime time soap opera                          (Title:______________________________________________)

 

Movie

_____ [09] TV movie                                             (Title:______________________________________________)

_____ [10] Theatrical film                                       (Title:______________________________________________)

 

Informational/educational

_____ [11] Local news                                           (Title:______________________________________________)

_____ [12] National/international news                   (Title:______________________________________________)

_____ [13] Documentary                                        (Title:______________________________________________)

_____ [14] Magazine                                             (Title:______________________________________________)

_____ [15] Reality program                                    (Title:______________________________________________)

_____ [16] Instructional program (adults)                (Title:______________________________________________)

_____ [17] Other                                     (Describe/Title:______________________________________________)

 

Talk

_____ [18] Celebrity talk                                        (Title:______________________________________________)

_____ [19] Political talk/com-

                     mentary/interview                               (Title:______________________________________________)

_____ [20] Theme/topic show                                (Title:______________________________________________)

 

Promotional

_____ [21] Infomercial                                      (Product:______________________________________________)

_____ [30] Program/channel promo spot           (Product:______________________________________________)

_____ [31] Program bumper                             (Product:______________________________________________)

_____ [32] Commercial                                    (Product:______________________________________________)

_____ [33] Public service announcement           (Product:______________________________________________)

_____ [34] Station identification                        (Product:______________________________________________)

_____ [35] Other                                              (Product:______________________________________________)

 

Miscellaneous

_____ [22] Live action children's

                     educational program                           (Title:______________________________________________)

_____ [23] Animated children's

                     educational program                           (Title:______________________________________________)

_____ [24] Live action NONeducational

                     children's program                              (Title:______________________________________________)

_____ [25] Animated NONeducational

                     children's program                              (Title:______________________________________________)

_____ [26] Game show                                          (Title:______________________________________________)

_____ [27] Sports event                                         (Title:______________________________________________)

_____ [28] Music video program                            (Title:______________________________________________)

_____ [29] Other                                      (Describe/title:______________________________________________)

 

FULL QUESTION:

What is the genre of the segment?

 

DEFINITIONS & EXAMPLES:

Comedy

[01] Situation comedy - actors portray characters, usually a family. Has a regular cast. (e.g., Full House, All in the Family, Seinfeld)

 

[02] Other - including sketch comedy, standup comedy, political comedy, etc. (e.g., Mad TV, Saturday Night Live, At the Improv, comedy shorts such as Our Gang and Three Stooges)

 

Drama

[03] Medical drama - dramatic story in medical setting (e.g., ER, Chicago Hope)

 

[04] Crime/legal/mystery drama - dramatic story in criminal and criminal justice setting, including pursuit, capture, punishment of criminals (e.g., Law & Order, Matlock, Murder She Wrote, Columbo)

 

[05] Science fiction/fantasy/horror - dramatic story in "fantastic" setting (e.g., Star Trek, Liquid TV, Hercules, Tales of the Crypt)

 

[06] Other - including family drama (e.g., Little House, Dr. Quinn, Touched by an Angel) and westerns

 

Serial

[07] Daytime soap opera - daily serial drama airing in morning or afternoon (e.g., All My Children)

 

[08] Prime time soap opera - weekly serial drama known specifically as a "prime-time soap" (i.e., not just any drama that continues its storylines from week to week like NYPD Blue) (e.g., Dallas, Dynasty, Melrose Place, Central Park West, Knot's Landing, Falcon Crest)

 

Movie

[09] TV movie - a film made specifically to be shown on television, with pauses pre-designed for placement of commercials; do not count a special 2-hour "movie" episode of a regular series (e.g., "In a special 2-hour Matlock movie..." in this category.

 

[10] Theatrical film - a film made specifically to be shown in movie theaters, with no pauses pre-designed for commercials (e.g., Die Hard, In the Line of Fire)

 

Informational/educational

[11] Local news - regularly scheduled broadcast, typically live, of news gathered from various sources and presented by local station (e.g., Action News, Channel 10 News).

 

[12] National/international news - regularly scheduled broadcast, typically live, of news gathered from various sources and presented by national (e.g., NBC, CBS) or international (e.g., CNN) news organizations.

 

[13] Documentary - one topic examined, often concerning history or nature (e.g., Nature, The World at War)

 

[14] Magazine - multiple long form (5 or more minute) stories, either tabloid or traditional formats (e.g., Hard Copy, 60 Minutes, 20/20, 48 Hours). NOTE that magazine programs may seem similar to talk programs, but magazine programs typically (but not always) go out of the studio for a story, do not feature an audience, and do not have guests who come to the studio.

 

[15] Reality program - typically use cinema verite to capture or re-create real-life situations, often without a regular cast (e.g., Cops, 911, Stories of the Highway Patrol, The Real World)

 

[16] Instructional program (adults) - programs that offer the viewer a step by step explanation of an activity or task (e.g., This Old House, Julia Childs, Graham Kerr, ESPN exercise shows). 

 

[17] Other - programs that don't fit in any one of the other categories (e.g., Good Morning America, Today, CBS Morning News, Extra).  This option includes news programs with stories too short to be a magazine program but on a specific type of  story such as entertainment news (Entertainment Tonight, Showbiz Today) or sports news (ESPN Sportscenter).

 

Talk

[NOTE that talk programs may seem similar to news magazine programs, but talk programs typically (but not always) stay in the studio for a story, feature an audience, and have guests who come to the studio.]

 

[18] Celebrity talk - a program that features a regular host or hosts with guest(s) that are primarily entertainment and sports personalities, does not have a unifying theme throughout a particular episode. (e.g., The Tonight Show, The Late Show, The Late, Late Show, Regis & Kathie Lee, Late Night with Conan O'Brien)

 

[19] Political talk/commentary/interview - conversations that usually deal with political topics where the guest(s) and his/her expertise are the focus (e.g., This Week with David Brinkley, Face the Nation, Meet the Press, Larry King, Charlie Rose)

 

[20] Theme/topic show - a program that is centered around a particular issue where the guests are brought in to facilitate the discussion, the host serves to stimulate discussion and/or moderate between the guest(s) and the audience (e.g., Montel, Oprah, Donohue, Rolanda, Jenny Jones, Sally J. Raphael, Geraldo)

 

 

 

 

Promotional

[21] Infomercial - an advertisement that is longer than traditional commercials (usually 30 minutes) and uses techniques to appear to be a genre other that an advertisement, such as a talk show (e.g., exercise, makeup, hair loss, etc. on cable)

 

[30] Program/channel promo spot - a segment in which the channel being viewed and/or a program to be presented in the future on that channel is/are promoted (e.g., "Friday on Picket Fences", "NBC Must-See Tuesday...", "A-B-C is the Place To Be").

 

[31] Program bumper - a very short segment that identifies ONLY the program in progress and provides a buffer between a program segment and commercials or other types of program interruptions (e.g., after each 5-7 minute segment of Star Trek: The Next Generation, a program bumper is shown containing the blue logo for the program on a star-filled background with the signature orchestral melody of the show).

 

[32] Commercial - a segment that promotes 1) a product or service that the viewer is urged to purchase, 2) a political candidate the viewer is urged to vote for, or 3) the public image of a for-profit organization; this category does not include messages by nonprofit groups. Include in this category promotional messages from industry groups, such as those advocating milk or beef.

 

[33] Public service announcement - a segment that promotes attitude, knowledge, and/or behavior change on the part of the viewer in a message sponsored by a nonprofit organization or obviously provided without cost by a for-profit media organization (e.g., "This is your brain; this is your brain on drugs" spots from the Partnership for a Drug-free America; "The more you know..." spots on NBC)

 

[34] Station identification - very short segments that primarily serve to identify the network/station/channel the viewer is watching, as required a certain number of times each hour, and typically on the hour and half-hour, by the FCC (e.g., the screen that appears just before a program begins that says "Channel 6. WPVI. Philadelphia"). There must be no celebrity, program or channel being promoted.

 

[35] Other - e.g., test of Emergency Broadcast System, bumpers that identify a set of programs (such as Warner Brothers Cartoon Afternoon)

 

Miscellaneous

[22] Live action children's educational program - program designed primarily to teach children; contains specific provision of information, knowledge, facts, advice, etc. aimed at children; live action only (e.g., Sesame Street, Barney, Mr. Rogers, 3-2-1 Contact, Electric Company).  This option does NOT include programs that  happen to contain moral messages but are not specifically designed to teach children specific things (e.g., most situation comedies contain messages such as "Respect your parents" and "Be honest", and "Captain Planet" shows superheroes who fight pollution, etc., but these are designed more to entertain than to be educational).

 

[23] Animated children's educational program - program designed primarily to teach children; contains specific provision of information, knowledge, facts, advice, etc. aimed at children; animated or primarily animated only (e.g., Richard Scary's Storybook/Storytown).  This option does NOT include programs that  happen to contain moral messages but are not specifically designed to teach children specific things (e.g., most situation comedies contain messages such as "Respect your parents" and "Be honest", and "Captain Planet" shows superheroes who fight pollution, etc., but these are designed more to entertain than to be educational).

 

[24] Live action NONeducational children's program - program designed primarily to entertain children; live action only (e.g., Power Rangers, The Muppets, Clarissa Explains It All, Are You Afraid of the Dark?)

 

[25] Animated NONeducational children's program - program designed primarily to entertain children; animated or primarily animated only (e.g., X-Men, Rugrats, Scooby Doo, Mutant Ninja Turtles, Animaniacs, Loony Toons, Tiny Toons)

 

[26] Game show - features contestants who participate in an activity with pre-determined rules in order to win prizes (e.g., Jeopardy, Price is Right, Wheel of Fortune)

 

[27] Sports - broadcast of a sporting event; this includes any kind of athletic competition (including programs like "American Gladiators", etc.). This option includes only sports events, NOT sports news programs.

 

[28] Music video program - a collection of videos showed under a program title showed in 30 minutes increments usually has a V. J. (e.g., Big 80s, 8-Track flashback, Video P.M., Alternative Nation, 120 Minutes, Yo! MTV raps)

 

[29] Other - programs that don't fit in any one of the other categories (e.g., breaking news, awards shows, beauty pageants, variety programs, etc.)

 

NOTES:

·        If there are two instances of the same genre in the 10 second interval (e.g., 2 commercials), identify the title of both in the space provided.

 

__________________________________________________________________________________________

 

FIRST FRAME OF 10 SECOND INTERVAL VARIABLES

 

__________________________________________________________________________________________

 

[For 3-5, code only the FIRST frame in the 10-second interval image (if that frame does not contain a NORMAL, FADED-IN IMAGE move the tape forward to the first such image).]

 

3. Number of objects in image?

__ __ objects

 

FULL QUESTION:

In the first frame of the 10 second interval (the timepoint frame) how many objects are there in the image?

 

DEFINITIONS & EXAMPLES:

Object - any distinct, separate thing, person, or entity, including individual words (or if perceived as separate objects, individual letters), individual distinct parts of graphics, separate objects in background or foreground, and objects only partially visible (i.e., blocked by other objects or cut off at edge of image).

 

NOTES:

·        An individual word is an object. A word is any combination of letters and/or numbers that is meaningful. Punctuation is not a word. When a hyphen connects words, each word is an object (but the hyphen is not - it is part of the first word). As with letters, for sequences of numbers each meaningful grouping of numbers is a word/object (so "$4.99" is a word and so is "(800) 928-2000").

·        In considering what constitutes an object, group things that are organically or structurally attached to each other (e.g., parts of a face, fingers on a hand, parts of a person, branches of a tree, trees in a forest, walls in a room, etc.); do NOT group things that just touch each other but are distinct. A face is always one object. A bowl of cereal or fruit is one object unless each piece of cereal/fruit is clearly identifiable.