writing in the discipline english 357: visual language and culture by naomi koehler
TRANSCRIPT
Writing in the Discipline
English 357: Visual Language and Culture
By Naomi Koehler
What is Visual Language & Culture?
• Visual language is a cultural element of communication
• Growing in importance because of our fast paced life-style
• Technology has changed the way we interact with information
Nonverbal Communication
• What does this image say to you?
• Posturing• Facial expression• Hand signals• Graffiti • Did they pose for this
picture?
Basic 5
• Audience• Purpose• Tone• Clarity• Organization
Applications
• Advertisements
• Billboards
• Brochures
• Cartoons / Comic strips
• Company logos
• Graphic novels
• Web design
Overlaps with
• Business and Professional Writing
• Writing in the Sciences
• Health and Medical Writing
• Writing in the Design Discipline
Assignments
• Non-linear timeline
• Photographic self portrait
• A video
• Rhetorical analysis of a professional work
• Reflective writing with all assignments
• Final portfolio
“Always Remember CRAP”
• Contrast• Repetition• Alignment• Proximity
• So just add Visual Interest to the list of CRAP to remember
• Group similar items together
• Align visual elements• Use repetition and
contrast to create consistent visual patterns
• Add visual interest
Business Writing
Contrast
• Color• Font size
Repetition
• Meaningful repetition• Consistency
Alignment
Visual Persuasion
• Direct approach• Indirect approach
Tutoring
• Audience
• Purpose
• Tone
• Clarity
• Organization
•Contrast
•Repetition
•Alignment
•Proximity
•Plus Visual Interest
Design Elements
• Contrast• Repetition• Alignment• Proximity• Plus Visual Interest• Audience• Purpose• Tone• Clarity• Organization
Works Cited
• Blakesley, David, and Jeffrey Hoogeveen. “Designing and Presenting
Information”. The Brief Thomson Handbook: for North Dakota State
University. 1st ed. USA: Thomson Heinle, 2008. Print.
• IaGuardia, Dolores, and Hans Guth. American Voices: Culture and
Community. 6th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2006. Print.
• Savage, Chuck. “Computer Age Ending Literature”. The Brief Thomson
Handbook. New York: Pearson, 2005. Print.
• Trimbur, John. The Call to Write. New York: Pearson, 2005. Print.
• Vosen, Melissa. Personal Interview. 16 Feb. 2011.