Christian Kowalski
Professional Writing & Rhetoric Portfolio
Context:
This assignment for my Multimedia Rhetorics class was the culmination of multiple multimodal assignments composed into one digital format. Throughout the semester, projects were assigned that emphasized one of the modes of composition: print, image, video and audio. These assignments were all centered around one thematic concept--the concept I decided to explore was white privilege.
Multimedia Rhetorics Web Design
Rhetorical Decisions:
I approached this website design by using the CRAP principles that were taught in the class. CRAP is an approach to design that considers contrast, repetition, alignment and proximity. With contrast, I made sure the color scheme and fonts complemented one another. This is shown through the black and white juxtaposition and the complementary fonts of the title with the blog content. With alignment and proximity, I was careful to consider spacing and how busy every image was. That’s why I chose to implement stark colors of black and white. The simplicity of the design ended up being really effective. Instead of focusing on all the cool devices Wix affords, I decided to emphasize the rhetorical elements of my content.
The concept of exigence was another rhetorical tool used throughout the class as a frame for this final project. Exigence can be best understood as “urgency” or what drives someone to resort to rhetorical discourse. The challenge was to use rhetoric as a device to demonstrate urgency and in turn, attract readers to the blogs. “Political Correctness”, free speech and race have all intersected in different ways through my time as a student. One can read the news about another scandal breaking out or a University official being ousted for trying to cover up controversial material. Students are rallying to hold the universities’ accountability along with their peers. Elon fits well in this movement, establishing close, transparent partnerships with the university and being swift to denounce hate in any way or form. Considering the University beyond myself and individual involvements was an outlet to understand this urgency.
Reflection:
When composing the print elements of my website, it was important to consider my ethos within this project. As a white student at Elon, I understand that I have certain privileges others may not have on campus.
I found this project successful because it highlights my multimodal skills. Many PWR classes I’ve had have taught me how to write persuasively but this project taught me how to design persuasively. When composing a blog it’s important that the site is clean and easy to navigate. I made it easy to navigate by making simple header titles that could direct readers to specific pieces of the site. Overall the accessibility and persuasive and the print and visual elements helped create an engaging website.