Visual rhetoric is the study of how document design (including the use of illustrations, charts and graphs, typography and layout) communicate, as opposed to aural or verbal messages. Visual rhetoric examines also the relationship between images and writing.
#20527
Reality TV Meets Presentation Fears: A Shrinkrapp
It is important to focus on one’s thoughts when approaching presentations. Often these thoughts can be based on myths: widely held beliefs that just are not true.
Lee, Scott. Presenters University (2003). Articles>Presentations>Rhetoric
#14908
Reconsidering the Role of Plain Style in Technical Writing
According to the technical writing textbook used in the Introductory to Technical Writing class I teach, there are two purposes and at least five audiences of technical documents. Yet students are taught only one style of writing to satisfy all writing situations: the plain style. This essay examines the history and current state of plain style's role in technical writing. It further discusses plain style's relation to rhetorical and instrumental approaches to technical communication, and finally offers writing teachers a new approach to plain style and instrumental language in technical writing.
Campbell, Jill. Orange Journal, The (2002). Articles>Rhetoric>Writing
#14152
A directory of links to resources in rhetoric and technical communication.
Nuopponen, Anita. Vaasan Yliopisto. (Finnish) Resources>Directories>Rhetoric
#20123
Reflections on an Icon Development Process: Negotiating Design Issues 
Technical communicators with visual design skills increasingly are called upon to help design of the 'look and feel' of software interfaces, including icons and toolbar buttons. Several practitioners in technical communication have developed useful guides for developing icons and toolbar buttons. Unfortunately, sometimes the application of these guidelines is complicated by issues that arise within the contexts of specific software development environments. This paper briefly reviews research and guidelines. It then reviews issues that might arise during the development process and guidelines for negotiating them based on the author’s experiences developing icons at two different software firms.
Hunt, Kevin. STC Proceedings (1996). Design>Graphic Design>Rhetoric>Visual Rhetoric
#27371
Procrastination can be productive.
Clark, Roy Peter. Poynter Online (2004). Articles>Writing>Rhetoric
#29162
Andrew Feenberg's critical theory of technology is an underutilized, relatively unknown resource in technical communication which could be exploited not only for its potential clarification of large social issues that involve our discipline, but also specifically toward the development of a critical theory of illustrations. Applications of critical theory help strengthen our discipline by forcing us to delineate extant approaches and consider whether democratic goals are being achieved through those approaches. If a critical theory of illustrations can be built from Feenberg's critical theory of technology, it should be useful for classroom instructors and researchers as well as theorists.
Northcut, Kathryn M. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication (2007). Articles>Scientific Communication>Visual Rhetoric>Technical Illustration
#32055
Remembering Your Reader in Web Design
Technology advancements have allowed for many improvements and enhancements in web design. Drastic changes have been made concerning programming, development, and available features. From flash animations, to blog pages, forums, and live chat, website designers have a multitude of design elements that can be added to their websites. Multimedia products such as audio, video, and podcasts are some of the other advancements in web design. One thing that has not changed, however, is the website readers. Successful website developers know and understand this concept, and apply it to every website that they design.
Haig, Anders. ReEncoded (2008). Articles>Web Design>Rhetoric>Audience Analysis
#24817
Rendering Technical Communication: Toward a First Philosophy of First Principles
This presentation examines a tension—common to students, practitioners, and academics—central to answering some form of the question ‘what is technical communication?’ The tension can arise in the attempt to provide a concise yet sufficient answer that embodies the variety of either the skills used in preparing technical communication, or the types of technical communication produced. Principles of classical rhetoric are useful in examining this communicative tension, and the role of first principles in technical communication is scrutinized. From this the formulation of a first philosophy of first principles is attempted toward addressing the popular communicative tension.
Stone, Ronald L. STC Proceedings (1996). Articles>TC>Rhetoric
#23930
Sur Internet, n'importe qui est en mesure d'éditer plus ou moins n'importe quoi. Dans certains secteurs, la crédibilité du contenu prend une importance particulièrement centrale.
Redaction (2004). Design>Web Design>Rhetoric
#27350
Repetition works in stories, but only if you intend it. The repetition of key words, phrases, and story elements creates a rhythm, a pace, a structure, a drumbeat that reinforces the central theme of the work.
Clark, Roy Peter. Poynter Online (2004). Articles>Writing>Rhetoric
#14530
Research-Based Guidelines For Visual Interface Design
Whether it is for a help system, a multimedia training product, or a software application, there are two key elements needed for good screen design: knowledge of the applicable research, and the ability to balance aesthetic appeal with functionality. This paper focuses on research into the specific human factors that affect how users interact with the visual display of information, and provides guidelines for how to apply the research results. The author adds information from his own interface design and usability testing experiences at Microsoft.
Prekeges, James G. STC Proceedings (1994). Presentations>User Interface>Multimedia>Visual Rhetoric
#24858
Resources for Teaching and Working with the Visual Aspects of Texts
An online guide that explains color theory and shows how to use it in design through examples and exercises.
Poynter Institute, The (2001). Articles>Education>Visual Rhetoric>Color
#22759
This handout offers advice making informed design choices in creating a resume. We also have a sample resume that uses these design principles.
Purdue University (2004). Careers>Resumes>Document Design>Visual Rhetoric
#15055
Rethinking Genre in School and Society: An Activity Theory Analysis 
This article attempts to expand and elaborate theories of social 'context' and formal schooling, to understand the stakes involved in writing. It first sketches ways Russian activity theory in the tradition of A. N. Leont'ev may expand Bakhtinian dialogism, then elaborates the theory in terms of North American genre research, with examples drawn from research on writing in the disciplines in higher education. By tracing the relations of disciplinary genre systems to educational genre systems, through the boundary of the classroom genre system, the analyst/reformer can construct a model of the interactions of classroom practices with wider social practices. Activity theory analysis of genre systems may offer a theoretical bridge between the sociology of education and Vygotskian social psychology of classroom interaction, and contribute toward resolving the knotty problem of the relation of macro- and microstructure in literacy research based on various social theories of 'context.'
Russell, David R. Written Communication (1997). Articles>Rhetoric>Theory>Rhetoric
#23666
Rethinking the Design of Presentation Slides
Summary, models, and templates of a new design of slides for technical presentations. This design is fully documented in Chapter 4 of The Craft of Scientific Presentations (Springer, 2003).
Alley, Michael. Penn State University (2004). Articles>Presentations>Information Design>Visual Rhetoric
#21629
La existencia del lenguaje visual propicia el concepto de y retórica u oratoria visual. Al igual que su contrapartida hablada, la visual tiene sus propias figuras y su forma de utilizarlas.
Dursteler, Juan Carlos. InfoVis (2003). (Spanish) Articles>Rhetoric>Visual Rhetoric
#27342
Reveal character traits to the reader through scenes, details, and dialogue.
Clark, Roy Peter. Poynter Online (2004). Articles>Writing>Journalism>Rhetoric
#20917
A resource portal for researchers and practitioners of rhetoric and composition.
Levy, Matthew A. Rhetcomp.com (2001). Resources>Writing>Rhetoric
#25286
#22615
Rhetoric and Communication Links
Provides a Canadian perspective on the field of technical and professional communication.
MacLennan, Jennifer. University of Saskatchewan (2002). Resources>Directories>TC>Rhetoric
#20914
Rhetoric and Community Service
In this course, you will extend your critical and rhetorical skills beyond the classroom and the library into the world of community action and service by working or volunteering at least two hours a week at a local nonprofit community service agency or group (dealing, for example, with homeless outreach, adult literacy, tutoring inner-city children, elder care, AIDS support, drug rehabilitation, domestic violence, environmental issues, or civil rights issues). Up to one hour a week on-site may be used to gather information for assignmen
Locker, Kitty O. Ohio State University, The. Academic>Courses>Graduate>Rhetoric
#18890
Rhetoric and Technical Communication
The Greek word for persuasion derives from the Greek verb 'to believe' Therefore, we can see that rhetoric may be argumentative but also expository (modes of discourse that seek to win acceptance of information or explanation). This understanding is critical for those of us who seek to accommodate technology or science to a user.
Coppola, Nancy W. New Jersey Institute of Technology. Academic>Courses>Graduate>Rhetoric
#20626
Rhetoric and Technical/Professional Communication
A page of links to resources in rhetoric, technical and professional communication.
Smith, Tania S. University of Calgary (2003). Resources>Directories>TC>Rhetoric
#20639
The Rhetoric of Critical Procedures
One important aspect of technical writing is the production and use of procedures. Though technical writing serves a variety of purposes, teaching, informing, persuading, and even questioning, one of its primary and most common purposes is the 'how-to' function of providing procedures. There is a great deal of information available on writing procedures, the vast majority of it focusing on software documentation and product documentation.
Boelter, Walter H. Orange Journal, The (2003). Articles>Documentation>Rhetoric>Technical Writing
#21974
The Rhetoric of Decision Science, or Herbert A. Simon Says
The tools of decision science are widely used and accepted in industrial and governmental decision making. But...
Miller, Carolyn R. North Carolina State University (1991). Articles>Rhetoric>Theory
