For this project, you will be creating a 1 – 3 page handout on a course-related multimedia writing topic. The handout should assume an advanced college student audience with an interest in technology (such as students in ENGL 419).
This project will allow you to gain a more in-depth understanding of a topic in this course; give you experience using a page layout program to create an effective piece of communication; and practice instructional writing (i.e. user-centered and concise).
Topics: Each student must work on a unique topic. Topics include (but are not limited to):Defining Multimedia Writing; Introduction to Visual Rhetoric; Ethos (as geared toward multimedia writing); Logos (geared toward multimedia writing); Pathos (geared toward multimedia writing); Kairos; Writing Audio Scripts; Writing for Podcasts; Web Writing (probably enough for several persons to work on handouts); Copyrights and fair use on the web; Understanding Audiences on the Web; Importance of Web Standards; Web Accessibility; Web Usability; Writing Concisely; Learning styles and multimedia writing; Rhetoric and the WWW; etc.
Content: Before you begin your design and layout, a draft of the content of your handout must be submitted to me for comments and revision. Content should follow good professional writing standards (which you will learn in this class) including error-free prose, concise and clear writing, and writing that is scannable and user-centered.
Visuals: Handouts should be professional looking, scannable, and interesting. I recommend a page layout or graphics-based program for creating your handout. These include, but are not limited to: Adobe InDesign or QuarkXpress. Microsoft publisher or powerpoint may also work if you are careful, but are not recommended.
Format: The final document should be in PDF format and be posted to our course website (under “key concepts handouts”).
Grading: This project will be graded based on the following categories:
Content (70%): Content should be clear, accessible, audience and reader centered, error-free, and well-organized.
Design (30%): Handout should be professional looking, visually appealing, and organized. Information should be visually broken up so that it is scannable.
Due: A 1/2 page proposal for this project is due during week 6 - Feb 15th. A draft of your handout is due April 7th st (or earlier, if you so choose). Your final handout is due April 14th.
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