Informative Composition

Touchstone 2: Informative Composition
ASSIGNMENT: Following the Topic Selection Guidelines below, write an 800-1400-word informative essay that examines the various components of two print advertisements, exploring their similarities and differences. Include the images of your selected ads along with your composition. Use your analysis of each ad to draw conclusions about its effectiveness. Demonstrate your understanding of how an image communicates its message. Do this by breaking the images into component parts and considering why those components were chosen, as well as their probable impact on the intended audience. Refer to the Informative Guidelines throughout the writing process and review the sample essay.

Sample Touchstone
A. Topic Selection Guidelines
DIRECTIONS: Select two advertisements to analyze. You can select ads that show either (pick one):

Prompt A: similar or identical products that are aimed at different audiences Example: an ad for cologne targeting men and an ad for perfume targeting women
Prompt B: two different products that are aimed at the same audience Example: an ad for diapers targeting young mothers and an ad for weight loss targeting young mothers

B. Informative Guidelines
DIRECTIONS: Refer to the checklist below throughout the writing process. Do not submit your informative essay until it meets these guidelines. Print this Checklist!

Image Analysis
❒ Have you analyzed and interpreted, not just described, the design of both ads?
❒ Have you compared and contrasted and drawn conclusions about the audience and effectiveness of both ads?
❒ Is your essay 800-1400 words? If not, which details do you need to add or subtract?
2.5.4 Writing Effective Informative Essays

Working Thesis
❒ Have you included a clear, focused and detailed thesis statement?
❒ Does your thesis state the overall claim of the essay?
❒ Is your thesis one sentence and located in the introductory paragraph?
2.3.3 Narrowing Your Thesis

Focus and Organization
❒ Are all of the details relevant to the purpose of your essay? (For example, do not include the history of the product/company. It may be interesting but not relevant.)
❒ Do all details support the thesis statement?
❒ Is there an introduction, conclusion and 3-6 body paragraphs?
❒ Is the information in a logical order and easy for the reader to follow?
2.4.4 Paragraphs and Topic Sentences

Style and Tone
❒ Are the word choices accurate and effective?
❒ Are the sentence structures varied?
❒ Is the tone unbiased?
2.4.6 Drafting and the Rhetorical Situation

Conventions
❒ Have you double-checked for correct grammar, punctuation, spelling, formatting and capitalization?
❒ Have you proofread for typos?
2.6.1 Verb Tense Consistency

Reflection
❒ Have you completed the color-coding activity?
❒ Have you displayed a clear understanding of how an image communicates its message?
❒ Have you answered all reflection questions thoughtfully and included insights, observations and/or examples in all responses?
❒ Are your answers included on a separate page below the composition?
2.5.6 Jenna Pack’s “Breaking Down an Image”

C. Self-Evaluation
DIRECTIONS: As a part of your completed essay, complete the color coding activity and include answers to all of the reflection questions below your composition.

Color Coding Activity Using the color codes provided, evaluate your draft as follows:
• Use red text to indicate your thesis statement
• Use blue text to indicate “hook” in your introduction
• Use green text to indicate the topic sentence of each body paragraph
• Use purple text to indicate a supporting detail in each body paragraph
• Use orange text to indicate a concluding statement in your conclusion
D. Reflection Questions
DIRECTIONS: Below your completed informative essay, include answers to all of the following reflection questions.

Provide one example where you drew a conclusion about an image as a whole and explain how this example supports your thesis. (2-3 sentences)
Sophia says: Visual elements work independently and collectively with other aspects of an image to appeal to its target audience. Have you made conclusions about components like colors, size, proportions, placement, text, and choices of model(s)?
Provide one example where you compared the two advertisements. Explain how you analyzed the techniques used or drew insightful connections. (2-3 sentences)
Sophia says: An advanced image analysis essay will consistently go beyond description and analyze the techniques the impact on the intended audience, and the likely effectiveness of the advertisements. Have you consistently synthesized information to draw insightful connections and/or contrasts?
When drafting an informative essay, it’s important to maintain a neutral and objective tone because your purpose is to inform the reader (not to persuade or entertain the reader). Cite two examples from your draft where you use an objective, informative tone. (4-5 sentences)
Sophia says: Think about how an objective tone makes you credible as an informative writer. How do your examples prove that you understand the purpose of informative writing?
How did writing an informative essay differ from writing a narrative essay? (2-3 sentences)
Sophia says: The different modes of writing require different approaches by the writer. What was challenging about changing your writing approach for this draft? Which mode – narrative or informative – is more comfortable for you as a writer?

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