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4th Quarter Stamped Essay Assignment
Synthesis = Argument with Sources
The purpose of this assignment is to learn how to formulate an effective claim, extract information from multiple sources to support your claim, and synthesize and present the information in the form of an infographic or Public Service Announcement (PSA).
Your task is to design an infographic or PSA that creates an argument to support your claim.; your infographic/PSA must contain a claim supported by clear, carefully-researched evidence, and a meaningful ending. Your information should be presented with both text and graphics. When you have completed your infographic/PSA, remember that it must make an effective argument.
Option #1 - Infographic
What is an Infographic?
According to Dave Gray’s BlogCommunication Nation:
1. It’s a visual explanation that helps you more easily understand, find or do something.
2. It’s visual, and when necessary, integrates words and pictures in a fluid, dynamic way.
3. It stands alone and is completely self-explanatory.
4. It reveals information that was formerly hidden or submerged.
5. It makes possible faster, more consistent understanding.
6. It’s universally understandable.
Good information design is the best way to navigate information glut — and it may just change the way we see the world. David McCandless, TED talk, The Beauty of Data Visualization
Infographics visually represent data, information, knowledge, and arguments. Infographics tell complex stories by combining a variety of charts, graphs, timelines, and other tools known as assets. They exploit elements of design to synthesize large amounts of information, to point to connections and patterns, using visual strategies that make it easy for the viewer to digest and understand.
Also see What Is An Infographic? by Infographic Labs.
Examples:
Absolute Rubbish! The Litter Crisis in Europe
Woof! Woof! The Evolution of the Dog
How Social Media Photos Affect Your Job Search
Support Safer Cycling: Biking in South Carolina
Evolution of an Entrepreneur
What Makes Great Infographics?
Facebook: Facts You Probably Didn't Know
The 83 Best Infographics
Resources (Make your own infographic)
Piktochart / Source ("How to" Video)
Infogram
Requirements
1. Your infographic must present an argument (a campus, community, or societal issue) and be complete
3. Your infographic must contain both visual and written material
4. Your infographic must contain researched information - you must synthesize 3 sources into your infographic
5. You must include original artwork, photos, etc. for your infographic (anything taken from a source must be documented)
Tips for Creating an Infographic
Top Tips from Experts on What Makes a Great Infographic
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Option #2: Public Service Announcement
What is a Public Service Announcement (PSA)?
A public service announcement is like an advertisement that informs us about something important. The only thing being "sold" is information. You've probably seen PSAs on drunk driving, smoking, AIDS, cancer, child abuse, etc.
Write a 60 second PSA using the information you have research and synthesize into an argument. THE PURPOSE OF A PSA IS TO MAKE THE PUBLIC AWARE OF A PROBLEM OR A SAFETY ISSUE. Yes, your PSA must also make an argument.
Example PSAs
Air Quality PSA
Don't Drink and Drive PSAs
Environmental PSA
St. Jude Because of You PSA
9/11 Memorial Visit PSA
2015 Food Drive Video PSA
Requirements
1. Your PSA must be 60 seconds (55 - 65 seconds)
2. Your PSA must present an argument (a campus, community, orsocietal issue)
3. Your PSA must contain both visual and written material
4. Your PSA must contain researched information - you must synthesize 3 sources into your PSA
5. You must include original artwork, photos, etc. for your PSA (anything taken from a source must be documented)
6. Any voiceover must include the writer's voice (if you have many voices, the prominent voice has to be the author's)
7. Credit your sources at the end of the PSA
Does it contain an identifiable argument, one which employs ethos, pathos & logos effectively?
You may want to use this checklist to assist in writing your PSA.
_____ 1. Have you written conversationally for the ear?
_____ 2. Have you involved listeners, captured and excited their imagination?
_____ 3. Did you stick to one strong, central idea?
_____ 4. Have you gotten attention fast?
_____ 5. Have you written for your prospect or target audience?
_____ 6. Have you chosen words, music and effects that can register in your prospect’s mind? Radio cannot show the image of a Native American crying over pollution (“The Crying Indian” aired on Earth Day, 1971), but it can utilize sound, description, and a memorable phrase.
_____ 7. Do you have a phrase that will be remembered? Examples include “The Toughest Job You’ll Ever Love” (Peace Corps) and “People Start Pollution. People Can Stop It” (anti-pollution).
_____ 8. Did you set the mood for your PSA, based upon how you want the listener to hear and react?
_____ 9. Is your tone appropriate for the non-profit and the message?
_____10. Have you kept an approachable feeling throughout your message?
_____11. If your appeal is supposed to be humorous, is it really funny?
_____12. Have you avoided stereotyping?
_____13. Is the vocalization appropriate? Think of the voices that a listener will hear. Would McGruff the Crime Dog have the same appeal and impact if he sounded like Mickey Mouse or Pluto?
_____14. Have you selected the appropriate spokesperson for your message? (Why was it important that Nancy Reagan voiced her own appeal in 1982 rather than an announcer who stated, “Do as First Lady Nancy Reagan says, ‘Just Say No.’”)
_____15.Is the agency/cause identified? Will it be quickly and easily registered in the consumer’s mind?
_____16. Have you avoided overwriting and crowding the PSA with too much copy?
_____17. Have you made your argument clear?
_____18. Have you given your listener something to do — react to your message, remember it, act upon it?
_____19. Once is not enough. Have you repeated anything the listener might not get the first time?
_____20. When you read it through with music and any sound effects, does it meet the time requirement?
VERY BRIEF EXAMPLE:
Did you know that every fifteen minutes a woman is physically abused by her spouse or living partner? I'm Ann Jones, here to tell you about spouse abuse. Every year, more women are injured by domestic violence than by any other cause. Domestic violence will touch the lives of one in four women. It knows no racial or economic barriers--it can touch anyone; someone you know may be suffering--if so, give them the abuse hotline number -- 513-2002. You might just save a life.
4th Quarter Stamped Essay Assignment
Synthesis = Argument with Sources
The purpose of this assignment is to learn how to formulate an effective claim, extract information from multiple sources to support your claim, and synthesize and present the information in the form of an infographic or Public Service Announcement (PSA).
Your task is to design an infographic or PSA that creates an argument to support your claim.; your infographic/PSA must contain a claim supported by clear, carefully-researched evidence, and a meaningful ending. Your information should be presented with both text and graphics. When you have completed your infographic/PSA, remember that it must make an effective argument.
Option #1 - Infographic
What is an Infographic?
According to Dave Gray’s BlogCommunication Nation:
1. It’s a visual explanation that helps you more easily understand, find or do something.
2. It’s visual, and when necessary, integrates words and pictures in a fluid, dynamic way.
3. It stands alone and is completely self-explanatory.
4. It reveals information that was formerly hidden or submerged.
5. It makes possible faster, more consistent understanding.
6. It’s universally understandable.
Good information design is the best way to navigate information glut — and it may just change the way we see the world. David McCandless, TED talk, The Beauty of Data Visualization
Infographics visually represent data, information, knowledge, and arguments. Infographics tell complex stories by combining a variety of charts, graphs, timelines, and other tools known as assets. They exploit elements of design to synthesize large amounts of information, to point to connections and patterns, using visual strategies that make it easy for the viewer to digest and understand.
Also see What Is An Infographic? by Infographic Labs.
Examples:
Absolute Rubbish! The Litter Crisis in Europe
Woof! Woof! The Evolution of the Dog
How Social Media Photos Affect Your Job Search
Support Safer Cycling: Biking in South Carolina
Evolution of an Entrepreneur
What Makes Great Infographics?
Facebook: Facts You Probably Didn't Know
The 83 Best Infographics
Resources (Make your own infographic)
Piktochart / Source ("How to" Video)
Infogram
Requirements
1. Your infographic must present an argument (a campus, community, or societal issue) and be complete
3. Your infographic must contain both visual and written material
4. Your infographic must contain researched information - you must synthesize 3 sources into your infographic
5. You must include original artwork, photos, etc. for your infographic (anything taken from a source must be documented)
Tips for Creating an Infographic
- Find a topic rich for investigation.
- Research! Read background information. Locate and analyze relevant, current data.
- Search to see how others have represented similar data.
- Plan the most important elements/assets. Sketch out your "story."
- Decide how best to visualize the meaning of those elements.
- Develop a claim/argument.
- Keep it simple! Keep it clear!
- Carefully select a color scheme.
- Carefully select your font.
- Make sure your ending is evident.
- Reference your sources.
Top Tips from Experts on What Makes a Great Infographic
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Option #2: Public Service Announcement
What is a Public Service Announcement (PSA)?
A public service announcement is like an advertisement that informs us about something important. The only thing being "sold" is information. You've probably seen PSAs on drunk driving, smoking, AIDS, cancer, child abuse, etc.
Write a 60 second PSA using the information you have research and synthesize into an argument. THE PURPOSE OF A PSA IS TO MAKE THE PUBLIC AWARE OF A PROBLEM OR A SAFETY ISSUE. Yes, your PSA must also make an argument.
Example PSAs
Air Quality PSA
Don't Drink and Drive PSAs
Environmental PSA
St. Jude Because of You PSA
9/11 Memorial Visit PSA
2015 Food Drive Video PSA
Requirements
1. Your PSA must be 60 seconds (55 - 65 seconds)
2. Your PSA must present an argument (a campus, community, orsocietal issue)
3. Your PSA must contain both visual and written material
4. Your PSA must contain researched information - you must synthesize 3 sources into your PSA
5. You must include original artwork, photos, etc. for your PSA (anything taken from a source must be documented)
6. Any voiceover must include the writer's voice (if you have many voices, the prominent voice has to be the author's)
7. Credit your sources at the end of the PSA
Does it contain an identifiable argument, one which employs ethos, pathos & logos effectively?
You may want to use this checklist to assist in writing your PSA.
_____ 1. Have you written conversationally for the ear?
_____ 2. Have you involved listeners, captured and excited their imagination?
_____ 3. Did you stick to one strong, central idea?
_____ 4. Have you gotten attention fast?
_____ 5. Have you written for your prospect or target audience?
_____ 6. Have you chosen words, music and effects that can register in your prospect’s mind? Radio cannot show the image of a Native American crying over pollution (“The Crying Indian” aired on Earth Day, 1971), but it can utilize sound, description, and a memorable phrase.
_____ 7. Do you have a phrase that will be remembered? Examples include “The Toughest Job You’ll Ever Love” (Peace Corps) and “People Start Pollution. People Can Stop It” (anti-pollution).
_____ 8. Did you set the mood for your PSA, based upon how you want the listener to hear and react?
_____ 9. Is your tone appropriate for the non-profit and the message?
_____10. Have you kept an approachable feeling throughout your message?
_____11. If your appeal is supposed to be humorous, is it really funny?
_____12. Have you avoided stereotyping?
_____13. Is the vocalization appropriate? Think of the voices that a listener will hear. Would McGruff the Crime Dog have the same appeal and impact if he sounded like Mickey Mouse or Pluto?
_____14. Have you selected the appropriate spokesperson for your message? (Why was it important that Nancy Reagan voiced her own appeal in 1982 rather than an announcer who stated, “Do as First Lady Nancy Reagan says, ‘Just Say No.’”)
_____15.Is the agency/cause identified? Will it be quickly and easily registered in the consumer’s mind?
_____16. Have you avoided overwriting and crowding the PSA with too much copy?
_____17. Have you made your argument clear?
_____18. Have you given your listener something to do — react to your message, remember it, act upon it?
_____19. Once is not enough. Have you repeated anything the listener might not get the first time?
_____20. When you read it through with music and any sound effects, does it meet the time requirement?
VERY BRIEF EXAMPLE:
Did you know that every fifteen minutes a woman is physically abused by her spouse or living partner? I'm Ann Jones, here to tell you about spouse abuse. Every year, more women are injured by domestic violence than by any other cause. Domestic violence will touch the lives of one in four women. It knows no racial or economic barriers--it can touch anyone; someone you know may be suffering--if so, give them the abuse hotline number -- 513-2002. You might just save a life.