Assignment 1: Visual Argument     Due: 9.22

In this first assignment, you will visually explore and present three potential research topics for your final project by creating a total of 6 visuals. In doing so, your goal is both to summarize a complex topic through infographics (focusing on ethos and logos) as well as intrigue your audience to want to learn more through movie posters (focusing on pathos).

General Project Requirements 1. 6 visuals on 3 different topics:

§ 3 movie posters and 3 infographics

2. Engages the genre standards of both movie posters and infographics that we’ve read/talked about: § Movie posters engage and tease your viewer about the topic using pathos by building

visual suspense, humor, or another appropriate emotion; § Movie posters and infographics contain visual storytelling; § Movie posters show don’t tell—using limited text, images, and a title + tagline; § Infographic says something interesting and unexpected about your topic, visualizing

some interesting statistic, example, story, etc. Illustrate that you’ve begun to research and learn about your topic;

§ The movie poster and infographic work together both logically and visually. 3. Engages the visual rhetoric concepts we’ve discussed in class (color theory, vectors, arrangement,

white space, etc.) 4. Includes a ½ page (single-spaced) statement of design in which you:

§ Use language from class to describe how your design choices were calculated to have a specific rhetorical effect and enhance your topic;

§ Describe how your design is a smart take on the assignment and criteria; § Transfer: describe two skills that you’ve learned in this unit and where they might by

useful in your life/career in the future.

Assignment 1: Rubric

For full description of grading criteria, see above. _______Technical Skill (15 points)  

§ Photoshop is utilized effectively—doesn’t look Photoshopped § Image boundaries are smooth § Skills taught in class as well as skills learned on student’s own are well-demonstrated

 _______Genre Standards (15 points)  

§ Movie posters engage and tease your viewer about the topic using pathos by building visual suspense, terror, humor, etc.

§ Movie posters contain visual storytelling § Movie posters show don’t tell—using limited text, images, and a title + tagline § Infographic says something interesting and unexpected about your topic, visualizing some

interesting statistic, example, story, etc. § Infographics have multiple inner-working parts that are logically structured and create some

kind of narrative or interactivity § The movie poster and infographic work together both logically and visually

 _______Complex Argument (20 points)  

§ Argument is complex and specific, not broad—it passes the scattegories test § Argument is clear to an audience that doesn’t have a cover letter to read § Argument considers how it will appear to multiple audiences

 _______Visual Rhetoric Savvy (15 points)  

§ Ethos, pathos, and logos are readily perceivable and effective § Beyond genre standards, layout is well-balanced, colored, and arranged

 _______Campaign Cohesiveness (15 points)

• Elements of movie poster and infographic work together visually and logically  _______Assignment Requirements (5 points)  

• See above  _______Cover Letter (15 points)  

• Explains the project effectively and rhetorically, using language from the readings and class discussions

 ______Total (100 points)