Student Visual Communication Resources

Cognitive and Rhetorical Strategies for Increasing Reading Comprehension

Cognitive models

The brain gathers no more than 8 or so bits of information before seeking storage [meaning].

The brain processes communication by guessing what comes next based on current info and checking guesses against evidence [abetted by conventions and expectations].

Meaning is the pattern your brain grasps; the pattern lets you say, "I see what it means."

• Known + new or general + specific = comprehension
• Comprehend means, "gather together"

Self-Evaluation Aid for Visual Analysis

Directions: Place a check mark in the blank for each part of the paper you have successfully completed.

Context

___ I described the brand name, slogan, and contents (text and pictures) of the ad, so readers who can't see the ad can still visualize it.

Sources

___ I have included evidence for each claim that I make.

Example: The Prozac ad uses a desire for good health by using phrases such as "mood brightener" and "Wash Your Blues Away!"

Jonathan Berrie: http://www.public.iastate.edu/~jberrie/eportfolio.html

Rachel Hagen: http://rhagen.public.iastate.edu

Ming Li: http://www.public.iastate.edu/~mangleli/eportfolio.html

Meg Moore: http://megmoore.public.iastate.edu

Michelle Rivers: http://www.public.iastate.edu/~mcrivers/eportfolio.html

Erin Sexton: http://esexton.public.iastate.edu

General information about the portfolio and its evaluation

• Earning “credit” on all 6 major compositions is required to meet the basic standards of English 105 and make a student eligible to earn a passing grade for the semester. Also, each composition must first earn “credit” before it can be revised as one of your portfolio presentation pieces to be graded.