VISUAL COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT
Course Name: Modern Visual Communication Theory / Course Code: Section: 1 Semester: Spring 2022
Assignment #: Final / Assignment Type: Literature Review / Due Date: SIS
ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTION:
The literature review is central to forming an argument. It lays the foundation and helps you focus on what really matters to your thesis within your topic.
Through the process of analyzing what each source says and then how they relate to each other and your thesis statement:
• It demonstrates an in-depth understanding of your chosen topic and thesis
• It demonstrates your critical understanding of the theory
• It cites existing research sources
• It provides additional information and gives a context to your own ideas
The literature is 2 articles
Your paper will follow the below structure:
Introduction to the Literature Review
o Introduce the topic (If Semiotics, explain what the Theory of Semiotics is and what it is all about)
o define what visual communication is or graphic design
o Tell me what the literature review is doing
o End with your thesis statement (Your Opinion about the topic and the connection to Graphic Design or Visual Communication) (claim)
The Body: Part 1: 2 paragraphs one for each source and each is structured as per below:
o You need to decide which source agrees with your thesis statement the most.
This is your first source.
o You need to FRAME each source properly (see lecture on APA – BB)
o You will summarize each article’s main idea.
o You will then tell EXACTLY what the article says that agrees with you the most.
(Direct quotes only; no paraphrasing.) (Evidence)
o Explain how each quote supports your thesis statement (warrant)
The Body: Part 2: 2 Paragraphs 1 for Comparisons and the other for Contrasts. No mixing.
o Compare the ideas of all 2 articles (In what way do they all agree with each other? See schedule and lecture to guide you on BB)
o Contrast all 2 articles (In what way do they disagree or look at things differently?)
o Fit your ideas into their ideas – Where does your thesis ‘fit’ with the ideas and focuses of the articles?
The Body: Part 3
Do you see any limitations with the research in each article?
o Do they miss anything important to the theory
o Write what limitations you notice and tell us how the source is still applicable to your thesis.
Conclusion
o You will restate your thesis with authority
o You will summarize the main ideas from the articles which PROVE your thesis
o You will draw a conclusion based on the compare and contrast: What do you understand
about the topic that you didn’t before?
Headings you will use:
**12pt Times New Roman Regular or Bold, Centered
Title of Your Paper (Topic)
Introduction
Literature
Compare and Contrast
Limitations
Conclusion
References
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
1. Utilizing 2 of your research sources and the topic chosen: you will form a thesis
statement about the topic and proceed to compare/contrast and argue your opinion
based on what your sources say and what you believe.
2. Based on this research you will produce an academic essay in which you:
• Critique what you have found from the 2 research sources
• Connect how they relate to each other, contradict or support each other
• What you have found of value that compliments or adds to your thesis and ideas
• Use the structure given to you above and in class to do this
• Citation and all formatting of the document will be APA style
• Attach a university coversheet to the assignment
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
A. Evaluate content as it relates to audience
B. Analyze how different cultures affect design content
C. Explain the function of design from the end of the 19th century to contemporary
practice related to environment, society and technological advancements
PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES:
A. Communicate clearly and professionally in Arabic and English
B. Uphold ethical standards as a visual communicator
DELIVERABLE:
1. APA formatted 2 – 3 page paper with references
2. University coversheet correctly filled and signed
3. The assignment pages will be submitted bound
4. No names on the coversheet or title page
5. If no soft copy is uploaded via SafeAssign, it is considered a non-submission
6. If no process is seen for each part of the paper, submission will not be accepted.
EVALUATION: 30 POINTS
1. Structure 8pts
2. Ability to critique other people’s research and written words 8 pts
3. Ability to explain how papers support/contradict each other and the overall
message/opinion on the subject chosen 7pts
4. Vocabulary 3 pts
6. Submission requirements 4 pts
| CLO | Code | Requirements | Points |
| Summarize how language supports the theory of semiotics Explain the function of design from the end of the 19th century to contemporary practice related to environment, society and technological advancements | Justification and grammar Each article has a thoughtful and accurate sentence explaining why it is relevant to the topic All 5 sentences of justification are written in claim, evidence and warrant structure. | 1.67 1.67 | |
| 1.2 | APA format | 3.33 | |
| Articles are valid All 5 articles are relevant to the topic of semiotics | 3.33 | ||
