Annotated Bibliography Informational Layout – Bob Corey
Developed in conjunction with Alzire Messenger Fall 2005. Based on an idea from The Daily Tribune-Ames, IA
Audience and Purpose:
The audience for this project will be the general public (as found in many newspapers) yet designed
specifically for a younger audience. This project is designed to entertain as well as inform readers about a
specific topic. As noted in The Daily Tribune, the Mini Page is an on-going series. Therefore, the intent of
this project is to create a page similar in concept, yet based around a topic in your major.
Your goal for this project is to inform your intended audience about a topic you believe will be of interest
to them. Younger audiences want information presented in an easy, fun way, so make the material easily
accessible and visually appealing.
Goals:





To perform research over a specific topic (covered in Annotated Bibliography)
To use a variety of research materials (covered in Annotated Bibliography)
To construct an argument for a specific audience
To work with visuals and text while creating a document
To analyze a document
Topic choices: You and your partner will use your topics from your Annotated Bibliography assignment
to design your page.
Planning and Drafting of informative argument:
I have shown you various examples of “The Mini Page” taken from The Daily Tribune. Each page
featured a very specific topic and used multiple media styles to explain/discussion the given topic. Text
blocks were used; photos were included – all with captions and/or text blocks near them; word puzzles
and other games – highlighting the topic – were provided for reader interaction, jokes, recipes, interviews
with people, even ads (only 1 per page!!) were used. After a reader finished all the reading and other
activities on the page, he/she would be informed about the topic under discussion.
You and your group will create a layout for a page similar to “The Mini Page”. You are designing the
prototype of a page that you hope will be turned into a series and published regularly.
I will provide each group with a pressboard sheet 14 1/2” by 37. This will be the background for both the
page you create and the explanatory notes you provide (analysis) about the layout. The informational
page itself will be approximately 13” by 23 1/2” and will be centered on the backboard.
Contents of your page:
1. A title – which would reflect the idea that this page is the first of a series of pages to come; i.e.
perhaps something catchy like “BEST Biology” (sorry, you can’t use that title without my
permission)
2. An author line for your names (under title block – and not the largest text, please)
3. Two large blocks of text (information from your annotated bibliography) with minimal visuals –
these will make up the majority of the page
4. An interview section – or biography section about a person connected with your topic
5. A vocabulary activity for readers to enjoy – vocabulary must reflect the topic (perhaps create a
simple crossword puzzle or word search)
6. A fun fact section, which should contain some interesting, unique facts about your topic
7. A line drawing which could be colored with pencils/crayons
8. Other blocks of your own invention
Once you have created/designed the page and printed it off, you will need to center it on the backing
material I will give you and prepare the analysis.
Analysis:
On the backing board, you will mention the following – not in paragraph or even sentence form -- you will
provide JUST THE FACTS about the specific elements of your page. This information will take the form
of notes – explanatory notes for your editor (that’s me).
 Title – font, size of type, color, placement location importance (just the facts)
 Font used for text – size, color, type (not why; just the facts)
 Vocabulary – size of block, color, etc. (Again, facts only)
 Biography/interview block – appropriate size of block (facts)
 Size of blocks for all material provided
 Etc.
Finally, individually, each of you will write an analysis essay for me. This is the place for sentences and
paragraphs. This is the place where you provide the “whys” for the above information. Why this/these:
 Title – why this title, why this font, color, placement on page, etc
 Specific text for the main textual paragraphs – why did you choose that size, color, font, etc.
 Include biography/interview component – why this style/type
 Have a vocabulary activity – why this particular activity
 Particular text fonts, sizes, colors – why did you select/use these
 Graphics – why that particular placement, that particular graphic
Evaluation Criteria:
The visual:
 Features a catchy title
 Includes your names in a smaller block
 Contains two large text/visual blocks
 Includes an interview/bio section
 Includes a vocabulary section
 Contains fun facts
 Contains a line drawing – or other interactive component
 Features thoughtful placement
 Utilize appropriate fonts, colors, sizes of text/visuals
 Remembers audience – i.e. not too cluttered or too empty
 Is error free
The individual essay:
 Fairly and adequately analyzes the visual.
 Provides adequate support or evidence to support your analysis
 Projects a reasonable tone
 Thoroughly discusses choices made during construction of layout
 Has well-organized and coherent paragraphs
 Maintains a cohesive, understandable sequence of paragraphs/information
 Uses correct format for an academic essay
 Includes a worked cited page – including visuals, interviews, etc.
 Contains few if any correctness errors
The presentation:
 PowerPoint used
 Creative title
 Author names provided
 Introduction (narration) good with audience appeal
 Grammar correct
 Body information – highlights only
 Conclusion definitely signals end (say Thank You or something)
 Visuals appropriate for topic
 Face audience/comfortable body language/smile
 Logical order



Excellent narrative support
Consistent slide background
No distracting flying in/out of objects or noises
The reflection over presentation essay:
 Clear introduction which captures readers and introduces topic
 Fairly and adequately analyzes the presentation
 Provides adequate support/evidence for your analysis
 Projects a reasonable tone
 Has well-organized and coherent paragraphs
 Presented in logical order
 Includes examples from presentation
 Contains few, if any, correctness errors