The Visual Project

Each person is responsible for their own "writing" reflection.

Brochure

Photo Story

Best tech: Powerpoint, Prezi, iMovie Maker

Best tech: MS Word (brochure template)

Purpose: to convey a rhetorically effective argument through still images and sound (optional)

Purpose: to convey a rhetorically effective argument through the visual organization of textual and visual material, as well as through the use of color, layout, etc.

To get started

Make sure that the Brochure:

• Is effectively designed.

• Utilizes visuals, color and graphics well

• Makes a clear and concise argument.

• Has an argument that is logical and sound.

• Is quickly and easily understood.

• Uses correct grammar, punctuation, spelling, and accessible language.

How to get started

Make sure that the Photo Story:

• Is effectively designed.

• Utilizes visuals images, color and graphics in a way that shows ethos, pathos and logos.

• Use visuals, text and sound effectively

• Makes a clear and concise argument.

• Has an argument that is logical and sound.

• Is quickly and easily understood.

• Uses correct grammar, punctuation, spelling, and accessible language.

Content: a multimedia slideshow that employs visual, audio, and textual information and is used for either informative and/or persuasive purposes.

Brochure Layout three-fold (six panels):

• Panel #1 Attention grabber (front of brochure): get reader to open it (use a strong

headline or strong visual to capture your audience).

• Panels #2, 3, and 4 (inside of brochure): make the most use of this area by using

cleverly designed visuals, such as using your headline to spread across all three

panels. Consider this a full page where color, graphics and text can be

implemented to get your message across. The introduction (product/topic), body

(information/graphics/visuals), and conclusion (call to action) of your

product/topic (solution) belong in these panels.

• Panels #5: Good area to place interviews, quotes, references, and statistics

(remember to cite these); a “Frequently Asked Questions” (FAQ) section works

well here as well. Remember to add your “call to action” for your product/topic/solution here.

• Panel #6: Restate your call to action. Tell the reader exactly what you want them

to do; tell them how to do it, and tell them to do it. Provide contact information.

A few tips:

• Do not crowd your panels, especially by using too much text. It is okay to have

white space. Do not try to fill it all up. Remember you want your brochure to be

easy to read.

• Use short sentences, short paragraphs and clear visuals.

• Consider carefully the colors you are selecting. Conduct some research on

color schemes, how they relate to your topic, and how to combine colors that

promote your topic more effectively.

Adapted from Effective Brochure DesignWebsite

http://www.myprofessionaladvertising.com/Effective%20Brochure%20Design.html

Content: A brochure is a multi-panel document that employs both visual and textual information and is used for either informative and/or persuasive purposes.

Your options:

Photo Story

Brochure

Poster Series

Public Service Announcement (PSA)

The Visual Project

Groups

Selecting Groups (optional)

-Brochure: Groups of 2-3

-Poster Series: Groups of 2-4

-Photo Story: (min 1:30 minutes; max. 3:00 min--including title/opening credits & closing credits) Groups of 2-4

-PSA: (min 1:30 minutes; max. 3:00 min --including title/opening credits & closing credits ) Groups of 2-6

• You may want to formally divy up roles and work (draw up a contract). To avoid duplicate work, everyone should have a different "job."
• Anyone who does not contribute will be given the same grade if the group does not decide to drop them from the group. You MUST let your group member know if they have been removed from the group.
• Only one submission is due for each group. Make sure to select a reliable group member to turn in the final draft. All group member names must be visible in the submission. Missing group members will receive a grade of '0.'
• EVERYONE! must contribute to their group's presentation. Start think-

ing about this now.

If there is no one whose topic is similar to yours, but you would still like to work with a group:

• find someone with a similar topic
• find someone with the same purpose
• pursuade the group to use your topic
• use the topic that seems most effective

The Final (non-written) Assignment of the Semester

At this point, you have formally observed, researched, and reported on your discourse community and chosen topic. In this section, you will apply what you have learned thus far to the writing of an original multimodal project suitable for public viewing.

Heuristics: tackling rhetorical devices

Hueristics: getting started

• What problems do you forsee selecting your desired assignment option?
• What role will discourse conventions and audience play?
• How will you select the issue/topic you chose?
• What kind of systematic approach will you take?
• What is the advantage of communicating your topic in your desired assignment option, in terms of presentation or design? Why?
• How will you make your design decisions?

Poster Series

What’s your objective? Know your purpose

Logos

• Introduce the product/topic (problem).

• Describe/explain/advocate the product/topic (solution—focus on how to solve problem).

• Persuade your audience of the product/topic (put your solution into action).

Pathos

• Use an attention getter; play on the emotion(s) of your intended audience.

• Use BIG headlines, strong visuals, and a distinct call to action.

• Design the brochure to build interest in your product/ topic.

• Contain useful information.

Ethos

• Be honest.

• Create a professionally designed brochure.

• Use professional and compelling images.

• Use active voice, everyday language, be concise—get to the point.

• Remember your words will get the point across.

• Make it easy to read (Avoid crowded text, print that is too small to read, clip art, and clichés).

• Use “you” and “your” to make personal connections with your audience.

• Correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling are a part of establishing credibility.

Public Service Announcement

Best tech: pen/paint & paper; MS Art; MS Word; Infographics generator

Best tech: iMovie Maker; MS Movie Maker

Purpose: to convey a rhetorically effective argument through minimal & logical use of text, graphics and figures.

Purpose: to convey a rhetorically effective argument through moving images, sound, texts, narration and/or dialogue

Do not

• Use images without citing them.
• Use low resolution, pixelated, or otherwise unclear visuals.

Do

• Offer your opinion.
• Be creative and use color effectively.
• Use high-quality visuals.

How to begin

How to get started

Make sure that the PSA:

• Is 1:30 to 3 minute in length.

• Is effectively designed.

• Utilizes visuals, text and/or audio (voice/music/sound effects).

• Makes a clear and concise argument.

• Has an argument that is logical and sound.

• Is quickly and easily understood.

• Uses correct grammar, punctuation, spelling, and accessible language.

• Provides “reference credits” for borrowed sources at the end of your PSA.

*Credit(s) will not be counted as part of the time constraint.

Make sure that each Poster:

• Is effectively designed.

• Utilizes visuals.

• Makes a clear and concise argument.

• Has an argument that is logical and sound.

• Is quickly and easily understood.

• Uses correct grammar, punctuation, spelling, and accessible language.

• Is submited as a text, image or accessable web-hosted file (you may take a digital picture/scan your physical poster, in order to submit it via Blackboard)

Content: You may have noticed posters on campus advertising a certain product or attempting to raise awareness of a certain issue. Often, individual posters are part of series that explain a narrative or express complimentary arguments. This project requires you to create a series of posters. A poster is a document that employs both visual and textual information and is used for either informative and/or persuasive purposes. In this case, you will design a series of posters (2-4) that introduces the problem you discussed in your opinion piece.

Content: This project requires you to create a PSA that focuses on your social issue. It should range from 30 seconds to 1 minute in length and employ visual and audio information for informative and persuasive purposes. In this case, you will design a PSA that introduces the problem you discussed in your opinion piece. It should also describe and either explain or advocate for your solution to that problem.

Audience & Purpose

Other requirements

• YOU MUST USE SECONDARY SOURCES
• Either integrate your sources in the text (e.g. when using data), name the source underneath the image or take a cue from popular media sites (via Buzzfeed) and use the hyperlinked via Source
• Unless you are doing a PSA or Photostory, submit a Reference Page Separately
• If you are doing a PSA or Photostory include References (along with the names of your producer, director, editor, actors, etc.) in the closing credits

Audience: general (give background info/context; introduc the problem you discussed in

your CPR.)

• Are you speaking to the support or the oppotition?
• How can they get "active"?

Purpose

• Should you approach your topic seriously/humorously/scholarly/etc/?
• Do you seek to inform/persuade/entertain?
• Describe and either explain or advocate for your solution to your problem.
• If your solution is complicated or consists of multiple steps, focus on explaining that solution.
• If your solution is easily understood, focus on persuading your audience to put your solution into action

The Objective?

The most essential point to include is the CALL-TO-ACTION (i.e. bringing together audience + purpose). Sometimes it is helpful to end by connecting the audience with a related agency