07-13 October Reflections

Last week we read WtW Chapter 11 and a PowerPoint on Introduction to Visual Rhetoric.

While previously we learned how to write informal reports (internal and external), last week we explored writing formal reports. Chapter 11 provided a fairly detailed description of what the writer should keep in mind when writing a formal report. I learned what purposes different parts of a formal report serve, such as transmittal letter, title page, or abstract. The chapter also provided a lot of details on formatting a formal report. While the chapter was very useful, I wish it provided more information about different situations warranting for particular types of formal reports.

The PPT on visuals provided the definition of visual rhetoric and revisited the elements of a rhetorical situation, such as audience, purpose, and context. From this PPT I learned how to use the three visual parts of a document (linguistic text, white space, and visuals). I found especially helpful the discussion of design strategies because visuals are only as helpful as their design. Also, I learned the concepts of alignment, proximity, repetition, and contrast. Subsequently, I was able to practice in identifying these elements as part of our week’s activity.