Journal 6: E-Portfolios

Before responding to this prompt read pages 125-139 in the New McGraw Hill Handbook.

What you are creating for this class is an e-portfolio. This serves as collection point for your writing over the course of the semester. Thus, your homepage is an introduction/table of contents that directs your viewer to each of the papers that you have created so far. This is the reader's first impression of your hard work. In this journal discuss how your portfolio presents your work to readers. Reflect on and critique your own portfolio here. Some things you might want to consider are: How do you want to present your work to readers? How do you achieve this goal textually and visually on your websites? How is having your portfolio online different than merely having a paper folder with three papers in it at the end of the semester? What are the implications of this difference for both you and your audience?

Due: November 3rd by 5pm

Journal 5: Visual Rhetoric

Before responding to this journal read "Basic Design Principles" found in the course library on BlackBoard. Summarize the entire reading in two paragraphs. Be sure to answer the following two questions within your journal posting: What are the four basic principles of design that are highlighted in this excerpt? Explain each principle. How does color affect page design?

Now, use this reading to critique your homepage and your narrative page. What changes should you make given what has been discussed in the reading?

Due: Monday October 27th by 5pm.

Journal 4: Thinking about Audience

Before responding to this blog:
Read:

New McGraw Hill-Handbook: 29-33

On Writing: "The Role of Audiences" 172-178, "To Live and Die in Best Buy" 195-198 and "Tourist, Stay Home" 188-193

Watch:

Compare and contrast the audiences of Trask's essay and Knier's essay. While doing this you will want to identify the audience of each piece and point out some specific elements of each text that let you know who the audiences are. Are the readers of these pieces specialists or not? What tone does each author take? Are these tones appropriate?

Next, compare and contrast how these two movie trailers have different audiences. Address the way the stories are presented, the types of characters that are created, the fonts that are used in the trailers, the tone, color, dress, etc.

You must include at least one quote from EACH PIECE of your reading for this blog or you will not receive full credit!

Due: October 20