In small groups, students will develop a visual communication project—an infographic—in which they use an image(s) to create a message that meaningfully informs or persuades an audience. The infographic should be like a poster you might see on the wall in a doctor’s office, containing a variety of types of information on a topic. The topic does not need to be restricted to healthcare. Be sure to follow APA throughout, treat all copyrighted images as research sources, and cite appropriately. Be sure to address all rubric criteria.
This assignment has two parts: 1) in groups, students will create an infographic (an image or a collection of images combined with text for the purpose of making a statement, illustrating a concept, or describing a process); students should decide early if they are aiming to inform or persuade, and research must inform the project; 2) the group will incorporate appropriate language to support the message to complete their infographic.
Example: To complete this assignment, each group will: 1) choose a focus and goal (to either inform or persuade); 2) decide on the approach (illustrate process or make an impact); 3) select or create appropriate image(s); 4) conduct relevant research; 5) incorporate appropriate text to support the overall message in a well-designed infographic. Note: any online image must be cited just as text would (groups are free to create their own images for the infographic by using their own creative means, such as photography, drawing, etc.).
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Step 2: Research your topic.
Once you have chosen a topic, you need to do some research to learn more about it. This will help you to create an infographic that is accurate and informative. You can find information on your topic in books, articles, websites, and other sources.
Step 3: Decide on a message.
What do you want your infographic to communicate to your audience? Do you want to inform them about something? Persuade them to take a certain action? Change their minds about an issue? Once you know what message you want to send, you can start to design your infographic.
Step 4: Choose an image.
A good image can be very effective in communicating your message. It can also make your infographic more visually appealing. When choosing an image, consider the following factors:
- Relevance: The image should be relevant to your topic and your message.
- Quality: The image should be high-quality and easy to understand.
- Copyright: Be sure to use an image that you are legally allowed to use. You can find copyright-free images on websites like Pixabay and Unsplash.
Step 5: Add text and design elements.
Once you have chosen an image, you can start to add text and design elements to your infographic. The text should be clear, concise, and easy to read. You can use different fonts, colors, and shapes to make your infographic more visually appealing.
Step 6: Get feedback.
Once you have finished your infographic, show it to some friends, family members, or classmates and get their feedback. This will help you to identify any areas that need improvement.
Part 2: Incorporating Appropriate Language to Support the Message
When incorporating language into your infographic, it is important to keep the following in mind:
- Clarity: The language should be clear and easy to understand. Avoid using jargon or technical terms that your audience may not be familiar with.
- Conciseness: The language should be concise and to the point. Avoid using unnecessary words or phrases.
- Accuracy: The language should be accurate and factual. Avoid making any claims that you cannot support with evidence.
- Persuasiveness: If you are trying to persuade your audience to take a certain action or change their minds about an issue, you need to use persuasive language. This means using language that is emotionally appealing and that resonates with your audience's values and beliefs.
Here are some specific tips for incorporating appropriate language into your infographic:
- Use strong headlines and subheadings to grab your audience's attention and communicate your main points.
- Use bullet points and numbered lists to make your information easy to scan and understand.
- Use visuals, such as charts, graphs, and images, to illustrate your points and make your infographic more visually appealing.
- Use a conversational tone and avoid using formal language.
- Use active voice instead of passive voice.
- Use specific examples and stories to illustrate your points.
- Use strong verbs and avoid using weak verbs.
- Proofread your infographic carefully before sharing it with others.
Conclusion
Creating an infographic is a great way to communicate a message to an audience in a visually appealing and informative way. By following the tips above, you can create an infographic that is both informative and persuasive.