Tutoring with Visual Rhetoric

Presented by the Workshops Team

Kate F., Molly R., and Keli T.
Visual Rhetoric
Definition:
1. The use of images as argument
2. Lets pictures speak for themselves through the
use of iconography and symbology recognizable
by the viewers thanks to a priori knowledge.

Examples of Visual Rhetoric:
Contemporary Iconography
WHAT NOT TO DO
Visual Rhetoric
Your Goal:

Present a clear and well-supported
argument by creating conversation among
elements (font, color, images, etc.) on your
poster.
First
Impressions
PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
Balance Contrast
Unity Emphasis
Proportion Scale
Direction and
Movement

Repetition,
Rhythm, and
Pattern

Balance
Contrast
Direction/Movement
Emphasis
Proportion and Scale
Repetition/Rhythm/Pattern
Unity
PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN:
A Helpful Mnemonic
Contrast draws the eye to the page

Repetition involves reusing design elements
throughout a document

Alignment refers to how the elements on a page are
lined up with each other

Proximity refers to keeping related items together



Visual Rhetoric
Poster Design
Contest!
Color Theory
Using color rhetorically

Contrast draws
attention
Colors have cultural
associations
Context

Video and (fun) helpful
resource:
http://www.mariaclaudiaco
rtes.com/colors/colors.ht
ml


Incorporating Text
Minimize text as much as possiblelet
your visuals help make your argument.
Your text should be legible from 3 feet
away.
Generally, use at least 24 point in text and
36 for headings.
Font Personalities
Times New Roman DePaul University

Lucida Handwriting DePaul
University

Comic Sans DePaul University

Papyrus DePaul University

Rockwell DePaul University

Impact DePaul University

Courier New DePaul University

Build-an-Image!
With a partner, choose a mood, color, and
phrase

Create an image and incorporate the text
to communicate the mood on the
corresponding color paper

Share your images!
Tutoring and Fellowing
First Year Writing Showcase
Participants
First, congratulate writers on their
accomplishment!
Give them their Poster Board and go
through the checklist
Brainstorm ideas


UCWbL Initiatives
Create posters and other
promotional media for the UCWbL
Get involved and participate in
various, creative professional
development activities
At the UCWbL
UCWbL Portfolios
Enhance the concepts of your Tutoring
Philosophy, Professional Development
Activities, and other components by using
images
Take advantage of the features provided by
using an electronic platform

Everyday Projects
Resumes
Digication portfolios
Multimodal projects
From Theory to Practice
Planning Your Poster
What is going on your board?
How will you communicate your main argument?
Recommendation: Sketch out your poster first.
What are your talking points?
Practice being natural, succinct, and direct in
explaining your argument.
What are your handouts/takeaways?
Not required, but can be an important and creative
supplement to your poster.
Tutoring
Checklist!
Located at the
Reception
Desk in both
Writing Centers
Helpful Links
Images:
http://search.creativecommons.org/
Lost Principles of Design:
http://www.fuelyourcreativity.com/the-lost-principles-of-design/
Purdue OWL pages on visual rhetoric:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/1/7/
Color theory website:
http://www.mariaclaudiacortes.com/colors/Colors.html
NCSU page on poster presentations:
http://www.ncsu.edu/project/posters/NewSite/
Please Join Us!
Wednesday, May 21, 2013 from 6-8pm

Cortelyou Commons, Lincoln Park Campus


E-Portfolio Reflection
What are your strengths in terms of tutoring
multimodal projects at the UCWbL?
Have any of the concepts discussed today
helped or complicated you understanding of
how to tutor visual rhetoric?
Where do you see the concepts discussed
today in your e-portfolio or other multimodal
projects youve created (CRAP, 8 Principles of
Design, Color/Text Pairing)
REFERENCES & USEFUL
RESOURCES
Block, Stephan M. Dos and Donts of Poster Presentations.
Biophysical Journal 71 (1996): 3527-3529.
Cortes, Maria Claudia. Color in Motion. Rochester Institute of
Technology, 2003. Web.
Hess, George. Creating Effective Poster Presentations.
NC State University. Web.
Lost Principles of Design. Fuel Your Creativity, 2012. Web.
Poster Presentations. Stanford School of Medicine, 2011. Web.
Purdue OWL. Visual Rhetoric. Purdue University, 2012. Web.