OVERVIEW: A digital essay is a piece of writing that is COMPOSED AND DESIGNED

to be read on the screen rather than on a printed page TO MAKE A FINAL POINT
TO A TARGET AUDIENCE about the issue youve been researching.

What happens when text moves from page to screen? First, the digital text becomes unfixed and
interactive. The reader can change it, become writer. The center of Western culture since the
Renaissancereally since the great Alexandrian editors of Homerthe fixed, authoritative,
canonical text, simply explodes into the ether.
~ Richard Lanham, The Electronic Word

WHY A DIGITAL ESSAY?

What new possibilities does writing for the screen open up? Clearly, one thing you can
do as a digital writer is to combine modes of expression, mix your prose with images,
hyperlinks, videos, and audio files. You can also experiment with structure.

WHAT ARE THE MAJOR FEATURES OF A DIGITAL ESSAY?

This raises the question of what it means to compose a digital essay. For the purposes of this
assignment, heres what Id like to emphasize:

A digital essay is multimodal. While work as a digital writer should be rooted in writing -
- to write an essay that draws on the resources of the web -- you will also make
strategic use of images and video as well as various elements of graphic design
(headings, borders, layout, spacing, font size and color).

A digital essay is a coherent whole. The elements of a digital essay (images, links,
colors, vidoes, sections, sources, text, graphs) need to purposefully and noticeably
crafted/designed to work together as parts of a cohesive structure.

A digital essay is intertextual. Digital writing lets you see something about writing and
research that can often be overlooked through print texts writing is a conversation,
and texts within that conversation are linked.
When you quote or reference another text you demonstrate how your ideas are
based off of other preexisting opinions; this a a form of intertext.
 You can link readers out to other texts; you can draw links between your text
and others through tangible, direct ways.
You can create a more visual example of how the texts you are using are part
of a conversation, how they are related, linked, and interdependent.

Digital composition allows the reader to add another layer(s) or dimension(s) to his
work. It asks you to make new and complicated decisions as writers and designers. In
the digital space, not only do writers make decisions on the textual level, but they also
must carefully consider:

the rhetorical situation- considering context, communicating purpose, appealing to

audience (establishing an image or credibility, connecting with them, and being
logical and credible with reasons and evidence), appropriately using genre features
layout, structure, and genre
multimedia enhancements
connections and reflections
how to compose for, and read texts composed in, public spaces
how to create purpose and authority

USING AFFORDANCES OF THE WEB (or digital tools)

Some of the affordances of the web are an ability to combine modes of expressionto
mix prose with still images, hyperlinks, sound files, and videos. So another way of
putting this is to say that your task here is to compose a digital essay in which you do things
you could not do (or could not do as well) if you were limited to print or simply text.

COMMON DIGITAL TOOLS AND WAYS TO USE THEM

Images: You can use description to replace images to connect with readers when you dont
have images. Images can be used to make excellent emotional appeals. Well, you actually
(in this case) can use images. Where can you use images to show readers examples and
illustrations that your words cannot do justice?

Videos: You have a similar affordance here as images, except consider events or situations
that it might be helpful for readers to watch firsthand instead of read your version of the
events.

Infographics: Graphs and charts either found or created can make excellent visual
evidence and can also provide a visual aid help readers connect the dots.
 Hyperlinks: Hyperlinks can be highly gestural for readers. Essentially, you can guide
readers out to places they can read more about certain issues, terms, people, and events you
are bringing up. Readers can be linked to your sources, to helpful information, and to other
interesting reading. Hyperlinks can be used to guide readers to where you want them to go
next for more reading and continued exploration.

MAKING YOUR POINT (COMPOSING YOUR ESSAY)

Let me start by saying that you do not have to end your research with an answer, but you should
still be able to have something to say about some aspect of the issue youve been looking into.

You might only want to bring readers attention to something, to clear up a misconception, to convince
readers to take a certain action, etc. You also do not have to use this essay to discuss everything you
know, think, or have read about the issue.

Be selective and focused. Why?

YOUR ESSAY MUST BE COHESIVE AND EFFECTIVE, AND YOU MUST USE YOUR OWN
RHETORICAL KNOWLEDGE TO MAKE CHOICES YOUR PURPOSE, YOUR AUDIENCE,
YOUR GENRE, AND THEN THE CONTENT AND ORGANIZATION ITSELF BASED ON
YOUR SITUATION.

Keep in mind Text & Genre Requirements--

as you draft:
1. PURPOSE-- You should have a solid and identifiable point that is
Rhetorical targeted primarily at an audience that you can describe. This is who
appeals you are designing and composing your essay for; it is who you want to
Logic reach. Your work
Audience Should demonstrate expertise & nuance through (1) accurate
awarenes paraphrasing, (2) purposeful use & discussion of info and
Genre perspectives (3) helpful examples (4) personal commentary,
features analysis, synthesis, and questioning.
Reader
Should offer readers necessary background, accurate
expectation information, clear reasons, fair consideration of multiple
Multiple perspectives, a purposeful organizational pattern, different types of
Modes evidence, and smooth integration of outside material.
Web
affordances 2. GENRE-- You have limitations with your genre. Youre writing a digital
essay, but essay (especially when digital) can be open to
Building
interpretation.
your own
ethos You can write an essay, compose on online article, create a
 webpage or website, create your own videos, write non-linearly... there
are many ways to compose for the screen.

1. LENGTH-- Im not giving you a solid length requirement, but rather an average. A strong
digital essay should be 2000-2500 words.

2. SECTIONS-- You must have a minimum of 5 clearly distinguished sections (including the
intro and conclusion) that are arranged in a purposeful order the focus on different
aspects of your argument (background, history, refuting a point, making individual
points.).

THIS DOES NOT MEAN AT LEAST 5 PARAGRAPHS!

EACH SECTION WILL UTILIZE MULTIPLE PARAGRAPHS AND SOURCES AND

WILL INTRODUCE THE FOCUS FOR THAT SECTION.

MUST BE ORGANIZED POINT-BY-POINT, NOT BY SOURCE.

Your intro, body, and conclusion should engage readers with the issue and leave them
with something to do or think about. Intros and conclusions are hard.

Intro- Dont just dive in with bland info; start with something to hook them right off
the bat.

Conclusions- Dont just reiterate what the readers has already read at the end.
Leave them with a final question, scenario, point, suggestion something thought-
provoking that would plant a seed or stick with them.)

3. DESIGN-- It should be designed with multiple layers (images, colors, layouts, videos,
hyperlinks) that considers multiple modes, rhetorical appeals, intertextually, and digital
tools. The layers of your work should ultimately come together like a puzzle, with all the
pieces and strategies working together and creating a coherent, whole message.

Keep in mind as you

draft
Research Requirements & Options
be a good host to
1. You can use any information from previous assignments to build on.
your sources
2. You should also get whatever new information you need.
3. You need to effectively utilize a minimum of EIGHT different sources introduce info
to make your point. How, when, and to what degree you use them is
a rhetorical choice. You may use more if needed. Explain relevance
Anything used for decoration does not count toward the & meaning of info
minimum. It must be something discussed within the text.
Use evidence to
explain your
thinking &
avoiding bad logic
Be fair to all sides.
 Remember that you should not make claims without evidence. Be careful of
generalizations, unsupportable or sweeping statements, and other poor logic
choices.
4. You need to pull from more than one genre and/or type of information to make your point
(news, studies, websites, interviews, expert opinions, graphs, statistics, hypothetical
situations, specific examples, etc.)
5. You need to cite both in-text (with hyperlinks, context for the source, and signal phrases)
and at the end using bibliographic citations in the format of your choice.Keep in mind as
you draft: be a good host to your sources, introduce information, explain the relevance and
meaning of information, use evidence to explain your thinking and avoiding bad logic, be fair to
all sides

PURPOSES AND GOALS OF THE ASSIGNMENT

THIS ASSIGNMENT BRINGS EVERYTHING TOGETHER WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON--

1. PUSH CRITICAL READING & THINKINGYou will synthesize your sources and looking for
connections. You will be integrating, evaluating, explaining, analyzing, and perhaps even
raising new questions. You are now entering the conversation in a new way.

2. RHETORICAL KNOWLEDGE Think about the individual writing situation. You are in
charge of your own purpose, your own target audience, and -in many ways- your own
genre use. You have to consider what you want to happen, who you want to target, and
how you will communicate it.

3. KNOWLEDGE OF CONVENTIONS Genre. Genre. Genre. Youll have to research (read

about or look at examples of) the genre you are using and figure out the conventions and
expectations and how to use them. You should also keep in mind conventions and
expectations of the academic community. You will also be citing, framing research, and
engaging in the conventions of academic writing and thinking as well.

4. COMPOSING PROCESSES We will be brainstorming and drafting and revising and all of
the same super fun stuff that we always do. Continue to engage in the process and
figure out what kind of process methods work for you. Pay attention to how you go about
the act of writing and pulling your ideas together and what kinds of things you do well and
also struggle with or need to work on.

5. CRITICAL REFLECTION You must review your own work and research in order to
examine what youve been thinking and learning and to determine what your purpose
should be, who your audience should be, and what further evidence you might need.
 HELP WITH BRAINSTORMING AND DECISION-MAKING

DEVELOPING & WORKING WITHIN YOUR RHETORICAL SITUATION--

The following section is meant to help you understand how to brainstorm for, and work with,
different components of your writing situation-- to figure out what genre you will use, to select
and develop content and research, and to choose and design for a specific audience.

Deciding the Purpose or End Game of your Essay

For this assignment, your purpose is your own depending on what you want to say. Here are
some ways to determine what your purpose might be.
Do you want to raise awareness or concern about something for a particular audience?
Do you want to persuade a particular audience to change their opinion about some
aspect of your issue?
Do you want to persuade a particular audience to change their behavior or actions?
Do you want to clear up a misconception you think an audience might about your
issue?
Do you want to propose a solution to an existing problem or a policy change?

Selecting Your Audience

As with purpose, you must determine your own target audience. Remember that the target
audience is who you are designing this piece for not everyone who is interested or could
have access. The audience you choose will determine what content needs to be there, how
the writing should sound, which web tools and examples will be most beneficial, how your
theme, color scheme, font, and layout will appear.

Meeting Your Audiences Needs (Genre, Content, and Communication Choices)--

In order to help you consider your audiences needs, think about the following.
1. What is your audiences current opinion about the issue? Why do they hold this opinion?
2. What is their stake in the issue? What specific concerns does this audience have?
3. How can you address their specific concerns? What reasons will be specific to this
audience?
4. What kind of evidence or genre will the audience value most?
5. What is their knowledge level? Are there any specific terms or ideas that you will need to
explain?
6. Where would you like to link this particular audience to for further reading or action?
7. What kind of visuals & examples will be most appealing and relevant to this audience?
Which genre will be the most appealing?
8. How can you connect with my readers and get them involved emotionally?
 HELP WITH ORGANIZING, DEVELOPING, & PRESENTING YOUR MESSAGE

Here are a few tips to help you outline/draft how to present your information--
1. Start with a hook. Get the audience engaged right off the bat. Dont just dive into the
issue.
2. Know what background knowledge your audience will need about the problem.
Readers often need a section of the essay early on that gives them background
knowledge or convinces them that the problem exists.
3. Know what your message or your "take-away point" is (your thesis). Word this as
clear as you can on your draft to help keep you focused. This can come up at the
beginning or be left for the end, but it should be clear.
4. Know what kind of claim (your message) you are making. This can tell you a lot about
how to organize the information.
5. Know what reasons (list them out) you will need to give your audience in order to
get them to accept your message. Use these reasons to order your essay and create
sections.
6. Make space to deal with varied ideas or information. This can be done in a section of
the essay or dispersed throughout. If your audience
7. Plan for actual sections (for background information, for each reason, to address other
perspectives, for possible solutions, etc.) not just paragraphs.
For well-known issues, its often good to address other views right off the bat.
For issues where you are raising awareness, other views can be handled later in the
essay.
8. Plan for multiple sources to be used within each section.
9. Think about what NEW information, images, videos, examples, etc. you might need
to add to your essay. You might need to find a new piece of evidence to develop a
particular section. Remember each point you bring up or section you have should utilize
several sources.
10. Think about creative ways to end the essay-- story, question, quote, call-to-action,
point.