Örebro, Sweden – Stanford, California, USA || Cross-Cultural Rhetoric Video Conference ||
November 30, 2009
Activity: Rhetorical Analysis of Images of Culture 3: Visual Arguments of Research Projects
WORKSHOP PAGE: http://ccr.stanford.edu/workshops/20091130.html
I. 18.10-19.00 / 9.10-10.00 am (50 minutes)
Location: In Marratech, Rooms A, B, C, D, & E at http://switchboard.stanford.edu.
Activity: Team Rhetorical Analysis of Research Project Visual Arguments and Culture Blog Entries
1. As an introduction we would like you to share a cultural expression of a holiday
o
o
Describe a tradition that takes place at holiday time in your culture, or sing a holiday song.
What do the holiday rituals and the songs teach you about doxa, or cultural values? How does
each enrich or confuse your understanding of the person’s culture?
2. Cut and paste the Stanford visual arguments into the whiteboard.
Note: the “creator” should NOT explain the argument first. Instead, the other group members
should try to analyze its visual rhetoric properties. Then, after the discussion, the “creator” can
explain any confusing aspects or make a revision plan for modifying the image.
A. What do you think is the argument of the image?
B. How does visual argument use rhetorical appeals (pathos, ethos, logos) and how does that
contribute to the argument?
C. Which elements translate across cultures? Are there any elements that are confusing or
uncertain as to what they mean? (consider images, arrangement of words, color, shape,
symbol)
D. Which elements might be revised to make a stronger, clearer argument? Why? What else
can you suggest for revision?
3. Cut and paste the Swedish Culture Blog entries into the whiteboard:
Note: the “creator” should NOT explain the blog images first. Instead, the other group members
should try to analyze its visual rhetoric properties and how the image reflects DOXA. Then, after the
discussion, the “creator” can explain anything about the image of the entry.
Page 2 of 2
CCR Video Conference: November 30, 2009
II. 19.00-19.15/ 10.00-10.15 (15 minutes)
Collaborative Group Activity: CREATE a new visual image for CCR
You have now connected three times as a globally-distributed team. You created a team name, constructed a
BROCHURE to advertise your company for students who wish to travel through Europe, the Middle East,
and America, and you analyzed many artifacts from each other’s cultures. All this has been made possible
through the Cross-Cultural Rhetoric Project (CCR).
Now, imagine that your team has been hired to create a new visual image for CCR as a project – what can
you create that will help inform future students about the activities and learning made possible through these
connections? How will your text persuade others to get involved?
Together, come up with a VISUAL ARGUMENT for CCR as a classroom activity. You can write on the
whiteboard, paste in images of yourselves (take a photo with the webcam in Marratech), or any clip art you
want. Be prepared to present your work to the other teams.
Purpose/Learning Goals: Immediate application of knowledge; collaboration and communication skills;
visual literacy and visual rhetoric production across cultures for a common goal; teaching others
Tech tip: To save your whiteboard: In Marratech, choose File/Export Image  save as .jpg on Desktop.
III. 19.15-19.30/ 10.15-10.30 (10-15 minutes, once everyone connects to CCR Lounge)
Connecting with the whole Class
Goals: To learn effective communication mediated through ICTs; develop active listening; learn from others
Instructions:
1. In Marratech, switch to CCR Lounge, NOT T217 (http://switchboard.stanford.edu)
2. To open your Team’s image, click on the whiteboard, then choose File/Open Image
3. Each Team presents its work and explains it.
4. Listeners can type into the chat words of feedback or any questions.
IV. After the Video Conference
1. Debrief at Individual Universities
2. Please post a reflection on today’s video conference as a comment on the CCR blog at
http://ccr.stanford.edu – click on Blogging, then “Read the Blog”
3. Keep in touch on Facebook in the group Cross-Cultural Rhetoric and by email!
Thank you all for your participation in this Cross-Cultural Rhetoric Exchange!
Anders Eriksson, Örebro University, Sweden
&
Alyssa J. O’Brien, Stanford University, USA