Oral Presentation with Poster of Visual Analysis
For this project you will work with group members who have analyzed similar ads or similar magazines.
Planning the Poster
Your group will work together to create a visual display (poster) of your ads. Think about the main point you would like to make in comparing the ads. As you work, consider the principles of visual communication described in class, in the Everything's an Argument text, and in Student Guide: English 150 and 250 (pp. 27-42).
Working as a Team
Since you will be working in groups to compare your ads and create your poster, you will need to be aware of how people work collaboratively. Try to work out procedural issues (task-oriented issues such as when you're planning to meet and who is responsible for what tasks) and affective issues (behavior-oriented issues such as who isn't completing agreed-upon tasks). Then your group meetings can concentrate on substantive issues (content-oriented issues such as your rhetorical goals for the poster and how you are going to showcase that comparison).
Designing the Poster
As you work together to design your group poster, pay attention to the following guidelines about poster presentations:
- Have an easily identifiable point to your poster. (What do you want your readers to learn?)
- For the text, select fonts and visuals that are large enough for viewers to read from five feet away. Headings of the same level of importance should be in the same size and type of font.
- Select a clear and visually appealing color scheme using no more than three colors plus black/white/gray. If the ads on your poster are very colorful, you may want to downplay the color in the rest of the document. If the ads are all black and white, color on the poster may more effectively draw attention to them. (Does the poster attract interest from a distance?)
- Balance the visual and verbal information. (How has your text served to explain the visuals?)
Evaluation Criteria for the Poster
- Do you clarify the context and purpose of your work and its various parts?
- Is your main point clearly identifiable?
- Are the audience's needs addressed in both oral and visual formats?
- Is the visual display appealing and readable?
- Does the visual display balance verbal and visual information?
Oral Presentation
For this assignment, your group is asked to prepare a 3-5-minute oral presentation that discusses the primary point of the poster and offers a rationale for the decisions you made in designing your visual display. You will use the poster as a physical prop during your presentation, and you will need to make sure that everyone in the group contributes equally to the oral presentation.
Planning the Presentation
Your group will be evaluated on content and delivery: i.e. the presentation should have an introduction, body, and conclusion. In the introduction, gain our attention and prepare us to hear the rest of the presentation; in the body, explain two or three key decisions you made in creating the visual display; in the conclusion, pull our ideas together and offer a clear closing line so that every listener will know you have reached the end of your comments. Work on making transitions so that each presenter introduces the next speaker.
Rehearsing the Presentation
These content issues will be enhanced by skillful delivery so become as familiar as possible with what you plan to say and be sure to rehearse your presentation as a group several times before you come to class. Since eye contact and body movement (gestures, posture, and facial expression) are very meaningful to audiences, be sure that your presentation of your visual aid does not interfere with the ways you connect with the audience physically. You will refer to your visual display, but aim to talk to your audience rather than to the poster as you present. Remember that your classmates want to hear your ad analysis, so consider this an opportunity to share your ideas.
Evaluation Criteria: Oral Presentation
- Does the presentation have a clear introduction, body, and conclusion?
- Do transitions help the audience follow your line of reasoning?
- Do you use effective strategies to help the audience care about your ideas?
- Do you achieve strong eye contact?
- Do your voice and gestures clarify your meaning?
- Do you use the visual display well to enhance your message?
During your group presentation, your teacher will evaluate the oral presentation. After the presentation, turn in the poster for your teacher to evaluate its design and visual appeal. Each member of the group will receive the same grade for the poster, but an individual grade for the presentation.
Keep in mind that this is an opportunity to exercise your growing abilities at oral and visual communication. Work to do your best, learn from watching your friends and peers, and, most of all, enjoy this part of the process.