Blog 3
http://www.english.ufl.edu/
http://www.msstate.edu/dept/English/
The University of Florida and Mississippi State University are both large universities in the South. The web links above go directly to their English Department Websites. The University of Florida’s website is a good representation of an engaging and effective website for anyone interested in the English field at U of Florida. For example, the opening page is eye-catching in its use of a book collage as the backdrop. This element is very appealing to those interested in English and literature. Also the format is very organized and easy to navigate. The home page also offers a list of events that the English department will be participating. These events inform the site visitor that the English Department is very active and exciting. The main fault of this website is its “wordiness” the explanations of the events and programs are very lengthy and could easily urge the site visitor to skip important information. Mississippi State’s page is quite opposite of the previously discussed page. The opening page is overwhelming with its deep red color and oversized, under pixelated book background. The organization of the information is hard to locate and the information is minimal. The site visitors are generally looking for interesting easy to locate information on the universities English Department. This particular website is not welcoming or persuasive its tone is that of an exclusive club that is not interested in new members. This site fulfills only the minimal requirements of its purpose.
Overall purpose
The purpose of this project is to create a brochure that effectively promotes and explains the English Department at Southern Miss. Many students with undecided majors or browsing for graduate programs visit department websites that they are interests then. This fact combined with my own interests prompts me to write a brochure. My goal for the brochure will be too create something that will intrigue their interests further than most materials they are viewing. I believe that the are looking for a program that is organized, active, informative and passionate about the same things that they are or hope to be passionate about themselves.
Reader profile
The primary reader of my brochure is a young adult ages 18-24 who is interested in the English department at USM for personal future professional reasons. My relationship to my readers is a peer to peer relationship. We are on the same level and I am a source of insider information into the department. I will take into account the level of interests of my readers first. For example, most readers will be in a decision making mode as they read the brochure therefore I will write it in a more persuasive tone. However, they will be somewhat familiar with the field and its opportunities. I will add internet resources into my brochure keeping in mind that most research is now done online. Other readers may include faculty and peers of the English Department.
Situational analysis
The events and circumstances that affect the way that I write are the very nature of the department. Because it is the English department a publication sponsored by it will need to be top notch in its grammar, tone and word usage. Although this is a nerve wracking feat a small mistake could damage the departments credibility.
Usability objectives
The reader will most likely be asking questions such as what is this department all about? Do I agree with its claims? And what opportunities does it offer me? In searching to the answer to these questions most readers will use the selective reading route, by scanning and only reading the information that pertains to their interests. Key terms my reader will be looking for are “opportunities, You, success, writing, assistance and renowned.” The reader will use the given information to compare to other university departments. Important points of comparison are number of programs/opportunities, staff involvement, and credibility. The information should persuade them that USM’s English department has all the elements that they are looking for.
Persuasive objectives
The reader’s attitude toward my subject is very open and searching they are usually hungry for information that is truthful. Their attitude toward me is similar to their attitude toward the information however, in me they are looking for a fellow searcher who has found the way.
Stakeholders
Other than myself the main stakeholders in this project are the professors and teachers. Their jobs rely on student’s joining in the program if the brochure fails to represent them and the English department in a positive way it could lead to the decline of the department.
Constraints
The constraints are the same as the situational analysis. Outside factors that affect the way I write is the department’s professionalism and critical eye itself.