Final Assignment: Multimedia Essay (200 points)
Group Assignment
Presentation/Reflection Date (December 14)
“The truth about ______”
Purpose:
The purposes of this assignment are to help you gain experience in making presentations, in working within a group situation and in exploring the effectiveness of images as a part of persuasion.
The Assignment:
Each group will be expected to present a 10- to 12-minute visual definition essay centered upon the phrase, "The truth about _____" You will want to spend some time within your group discussing with each other the various themes and subjects that we have encountered so far in this class, or one that you decide on that we haven’t yet talked about (Fast Food/Diet in America, A specific musical genre, Total Equality Among Races AND Genders, etc.)
Together, as a group, you need to arrive at a "working definition" of the subject/word/phrase that you choose to explain, together, what you think it means, or should mean (this definition can be as long or as short as you want it to be) AS A COLLECTIVE GROUP. Once you have arrived at a working definition [which is also an argument, by the way], you will want to begin thinking about different ways you might present your definition to the class in a multimedia format [through images, text, and video clips and sound].
The Presentation (Group) - 100 points:
A multi-modal presentation is one that involves more than one method (or mode) of presentation. I do expect it to incorporate at least two of the three main modes: text [written and spoken], images, and sound [sound bytes and/or video clips].
Your presentation must be made using either PowerPoint or some type of video/DVD/movie-making software.
Remember that creativity is always rewarded. Consider typed words, digital photographs, hands-on interaction with the class, a slideshow with music, posters, etc. Consider appealing to all of our senses. Pay close attention to design elements – how images and words are visually presented, how fonts are used, how sounds are used. All of these design techniques will combine to express your abstract word through imagery. Your goal is to communicate what your group feels the phrase, "the truth of _____," means. If you have started this project with wildly disparate views, you must reconcile that disparity in some way and reach a consensus.
EACH STUDENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR 5 SLIDES
PRESENTATION MUST CONTAIN ALL PARTS OF A FUNCTIONAL ESSAY:
(Intro/Thesis, Body Pargaraphs, Counterargument, Conclusion Paragraph)
Self-Reflection (Individual) - 100 points: In 2-3 brief pages, describe the process you followed to develop your part argument through images. Think about whether you thought it was challenging or simple once you actually started setting up what you were trying to “say.” Did images you find affect how you felt about the subject? Also, use this paper to explain if you felt like you had to ¨compromise¨ when you came to an agreement on your presentations main argument. It’s ok to have differing opinions, but it’s more important to learn how to work amicably with one another and make decisions as a group.
Use this time to also make a work cited of the different images/sounds/videos that you used, and where you got them from.
Some tips:
The more controversial your topic is, the more fun it will be be to develop an argument around it, so don’t be afraid to explore topics that seem “intense.”
Try to work out group conflicts without my influence. Part of this assignment is to learn how to work effectively within a group situation. As most of you are already aware, a large part of your college career and your life experience after college will involve working in groups.
If you want to save your powerpoint / any format presentation to a flash drive, that’s a good idea, but I’m fine with you just emailing your final product. Check with me ahead of time about the method of presentation you want to use, so that I can have all the equipment you need in the class during the final exam period. Make sure that your presentation is saved in more than one way and place.
Final Due Date:
December 14, 2016
6:45-10
