English 10LC Web Project
From UCSB English Department Knowledge Base
Web Project Assignment Sheet
English 10LC Winter 2006
Contents |
[edit] Purpose
- To formulate a thesis regarding one or more texts from the class.
- To provide experience in writing for the web, an increasingly important format.
- To demonstrate your understanding of audience.
[edit] Texts:
Any of the texts from the syllabus. You may use a text that is not on the syllabus, either a literary or cultural artifact, but you must clear it with me prior to the first draft being due.
[edit] Background:
All quarter, our writing assignments have been situated within the traditional genre of academic writing. In a class that so heavily focuses on the reinvention of genres, it seems only fitting that our culminating project result in the production of a new type of academic project – a website. You will construct a website generated toward an intelligent, though not necessarily academic, audience that will supplement one or more texts from our syllabus. The goal of the site will be to enhance the visitor’s understanding of the text(s) in question.
This project allows you considerable creative freedom in composing your argument through both visual and textual means. However, you should note from the “purpose” section that a ‘thesis” is still necessary. In other words, your web project should have some sort over-arching argument, even if it does not have a traditional “thesis statement.”
Possible approaches to the web-project include, but are not limited to:
- A character map of a text.
- A glossary for a genre, text or author.
- Compose a “soundtrack” to accompany the course syllabus.
- Perform a comparative analysis of genres or texts
- Draw parallels between a text from our class and another media form (ex. Poetry and painting; Flash poetry and film, etc.)
[edit] The Specs:
- 500 words of new writing; this need not be in essay format. Hyperlinks and picture captions do not count toward the 500-word minimum.
- At least three separate pages.
- At least two “internal” and two “external” hyperlinks – a minimum of four links total.
- At least two visual elements – a site logo, photos, animations, etc.
[edit] Technical Support:
[edit] Transcriptions Studio
- Gery’s drop-in hours for the quarter are: Mon - 12 – 4, Tues - 2 – 4, Wed - 4 – 6, Thurs - 12 – 4
- Please note that he may have different hours during finals week.
[edit] Dreamweaver
- Dreamweaver is a software tool for creating and publishing your website
- Two workshops will be held in the Transcriptions Studio, SH 2509
- Tuesday, March 7th 2pm – 4pm
- Thursday, March 9th 1pm – 3pm
- For the workshop, you will need your Umail id and password. If possible, bring a zip drive to store your files; Try to arrive with ideas about your site so that Gery can help you realize your vision!
- If you cannot attend one of the above workshops and need assistance with Dreamweaver, please contact Gery (gegan@umail.ucsb.edu) or myself to arrange a private session
- Macromedia offers a fully functional 30-day trial version of Dreamweaver. After attending the workshop, if you feel comfortable working from home, you may download this trial program onto your own computer (http://macromedia.com)
[edit] Additional Software Available in Transcriptions
- Photoshop – for editing and manipulating image files; can be used to design a logo
- Macromedia Flash – for animating image files
- Windows Movie Maker and Adobe Premiere – video editing software
- Sound editing software
- Adobe Acrobat – for making PDF files
[edit] Grading Breakdown – 20 points possible
First Draft & Presentation – 5 points Final Draft – 15 points
Please note that you are being graded on the effectiveness of your project, not the technological “slickness” of your website. Animations, sound effects, etc. are great but are no substitute for quality content.
[edit] Timeline and Due Dates:
Tue, 3/7 in class Share Web Project Ideas 2pm – 4pm Dreamweaver Workshop, SH 2509
Thu, 3/9 1pm – 3pm Dreamweaver Workshop, SH 2509
Tue, 3/14 First Draft Due – 15 minute presentations
Thu, 3/16 First Draft Due – 15 minute presentations
Wed, 3/22 (Final Exam Period) First Draft Due – 15 minute presentations
Sun, 3/26 5:30 p.m. Final Draft Due Email the URL of your website (the web address) so that I know the project is complete.
