We live in a visually dominated world. So much of the information you gain each day comes to you in a visual format. Some of it is reliable and compelling, and some of it definitely is not! You must learn to analyze visual rhetoric, and also learn to use it wisely, if you want to be able to create effective communication in today’s culture.
In this discussion you will outline the main issues in your topic in a format that balances your text with visual elements. You will create a PowerPoint presentation to share with your peers. You should spend approximately 3 hours on this assignment.
Instructions
1. Research: Begin with the research and visuals you compiled in Module 2. Note where you need more information to understand the major issues within this topic, and find, evaluate, and annotate credible resources that help you thoroughly understand the topic. Access the CCCOnline Library Databases to find academic sources.
2. Think: What are the main issues within your topic? What are the problems that need solving? What are the issues that people most tend to debate? How can you use or create visual data or visual rhetoric to help your readers understand these issues?
3. Write: Create a PowerPoint presentation of the main issues or ideas of your topic.
Create an introductory slide, 5-6 slides to develop your discussion of the main
issues, and a Works Cited slide. Each slide should incorporate visual elements
(e.g., pictures, graphs, charts, in fographics, formatting, etc.) and should balance
those visuals with enough text to make meaning. Be sure your visual elements
help convey something important about the issues within your topic. Your
presentation should give a clear, complete picture of the topic. Need help? Check
out this Microsoft resource on basic tasks for creating a PowerPoint presentation.
4. Tips:
○ Your presentation should not take a side on the issue, but present the topic
objectively. You should attempt to stay neutral and fairly represent all sides of the
issue.
quote or paraphrase as necessary, but be sure to cite your sources. Be sure to
cite your visuals just as you would cite any other source.
○ Organize your information and slides logically so your reader can follow your
presentation.
5. Post your presentation as an attachment to your initial discussion post. In your post,reflect on the choices you made in your presentation. Why did you choose the images you included? How much text did you include and what was its purpose? How did you balance the textual and visual elements of your presentation to make the content engaging and effective?
6. Post one original post, and reply to at least two of your classmates. In your replies to peers, respond to one another’s presentations. What did you learn? What was most
engaging in their presentation? How did the visual elements add to the presentation of the information? Try to further the discussion in your replies by asking thoughtful
questions, adding interesting information, or connecting your reply to the material we are discussing.
7. Don’t forget that your initial posting is due by the date listed in the Course Schedule. Please post over several days. Points will be lost if you post on only one day of the module. See the Course Schedule and Course Rubrics sections in the Syllabus module for due dates and grading information. See the Grading and Evaluation section in the Syllabus module for general discussion expectations.
