Rhetorical Knowledge
Recognize and understand the ways in which genres shape communication
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Understand the importance of user-centered design
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Analyze, articulate and respond to the needs of specific audiences and communication situation
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Apply conventions of genre and form appropriate to specific audiences and contexts
The Elements
TWC 521 Principles of Web Authoring
The elements assignment required me to analyze a website based on Garrett’s five planes. I selected the home page of a local bakery’s website. Analyzing the site in relation to the five planes was challenging as I had to view the site from a different perspective than I would have as a visitor. This perspective gave me insight into who their customers are and what message they are trying to communicate to them using various techniques.
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MSTC Outcome: User-centered design was the way the website enticed their users to buy their product. The author(s) had to know the audience and tailor the site, from the choice of design, color, and content to appeal to them on many levels. Without this knowledge, the site would not have been as effective as it was at getting and keeping customers.
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Keep it Simple: Know my audience and tailor my message to them without extra information.
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White Paper
TWC 553 Info/Comm Tech/Amer History
The white paper assignment asked me to sell a product to a group of people for whom the product was technically challenging and outside of their comfort zone. I struggled with this assignment because my perception of the audience and the perception implied in the assignment were polar opposites. In order to complete the paper, I had to first determine how the audience as described might perceive the product and determine the best information to use to persuade them to buy it. This was not easy.
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MSTC Outcome: By applying the conventions of a technical whitepaper and using this to determine which elements to include that would sell the product I was able to then use my new perspective to articulate to the audience why they needed this product.
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Keep it Simple: Change my perspective in order to know my audience so I can present the information in a way they will understand.