Reading Response #6
Reading Chapter 24 and 37 was very useful but at the same time using those strategies in our brochure was not as easy as I thought. But it definitely was a great tip and resource to use as a guideline.
In Chapter 24, it emphasized about design content refer to how and what the visual information on a document communicates to readers. Since I was in charge of designing, I had to come up with a design content that can convey an image and direct the reader’s attention. Designing the arrangement of content on the page or screen as well as the spatial and logical relationship between verbal text and visual content was the key point here. I tried to arrange visual images and texts neat and clean so that reader don’t get the impression of messy or complicated before they even start reading the brochure. Ineffective organization can decrease reader’s interest. Also I searched for many pictures that were relevant and closely related to content. I used all four pictures with pet and people in together instead of using a picture of an animal by itself. Since the organization’s goal was to help animals who are in danger, encourage people to taking good care of their pet and seeks for way to animal and human live together giving positive influence to each other.
The Chapter 37 talked about useful guidelines of sentence variety and emphasis. I do agree that sentence variety keeps writing lively and effective and using emphasis pulls reader’s attention eventually help achieving broader rhetorical goal of informing. But achieving variety and emphasis was challenging. Like the chapter suggested using mix of sentence structure, I tried to use simple, compound and complex sentences. So in the second page of our brochure in the middle, I tried to use simple words to give general information about what this organization is about. Then at the each side, I provided detail information about what kind of job the organization does by using compound and complex sentences. Also I used marks to divide the sentence not to make the content too boring or long but easy to follow.
Making a brochure was something I have not done before so it was bit challenging but also interesting. Deciding which information to provide and shorting massive contents into simple and concise information were not an easy job. But keeping in mind about the principles I read from chapter 24 and 37 as well discussing many times with my member via email helped me making the brochure.
Comments
Reply
Chapter 24 was a real help for those who were in charge of developing the look of the brochure. Like you were saying, coming up with an effective design to attract people’s attention and saving enough room for the content is more difficult than it sounds. It was definitely challenging but I think it was a good learning tool. I found that in order to incorporate the strategies listed in the text, you really had to have a definite plan of action. It taught me to regulate the amount of shapes and pictures I included which is important because you never want to overdue the design, it would take away from the content.
Design
I agree with your thought on sentence variety. It is totally necessary to keep the writing lively and effective. Our usage of mixture of sentences proved really effective. I think you did a good job arranging the visual aids and the text. The effectiveness of the visual aid is only seen when they are arranged in an appropriate manner. The brochure was very neat and clean and hence as you said, it didn’t look messy. It is very important for the brochure to appeal to the audience and hence it needs to be attractive. Overall the design of the brochure was appropriate.
You were correct in saying
You were correct in saying that variety in sentence structure was very important. I believe that we did a very good job at this. Also, I feel that the brochures were put together very neat and in a professional manner. Our use of visual aids really complimented the text. I believe that will a little bit of revision that we will have a wonderful brochure to present to the humane society.
Reply
I agree that Chapters 24 and 37 are good resources. It was a lot harder than I thought to incorporate all those topics into our brochures. Chapter 24 was really helpful with the design tips. You did a great job with proximity and making the design visually appealing. I was so surprised at how well it turned out since you said you had never used the programs before. It really looks like you had a lot of experience. The content of Chapter 37 was also very useful. I am happy to hear that you tried to use variety in writing your sentences. Doing so will really help keep the reader’s attention. I look forward to revising our draft.