4.2: Other Types of Visuals
4.2.1: Choosing Graphics
Read this article. If you'd like more information, you may read this Wikipedia article or this brief rundown on capturing screenshots.
After reading, make your own screen captures to walk someone through a simple task you do frequently on the computer. For example, you might use screen captures to document composing an email message, using a specific website, creating an Excel chart, or any other computer task with which you are comfortable. You may need to provide a few lines of written instructions to accompany your visuals. Share your directions with a colleague, family member or friend, and ask them to evaluate the organization of your instructions and graphics. Make sure you keep these images somewhere you can access them later in the course in the process document section. Think of this exercise a rough draft that you will improve later.
Read from the beginning of section 5.8 through the end of unit 6, on pages 62-92. After you have read unit 6, complete the Unit 6 Knowledge Check on pages 93-94.
Watch this video.
- In a paragraph (75-100 words), summarize at least three considerations you must take into account when deciding to add visuals to a document.
4.2.2: Types of Graphics
Read this article. Note how visuals are chosen to represent objects, numbers, concept, or words.
- Find and choose an image from Google Images. In a paragraph (50-75 words), discuss how you could use this visual to make a point. Would it represent an object, numbers, concept or words? What title would you give this visual? Would any additional labels be needed to make your point clear?
Read this section. After you have finished, add any new types of graphics to your earlier Types of Visuals Chart, along with two tips about best practices for each type.
Read this section.
4.2.3: Using Existing Images: Understanding Copyright
No lesson about creating and using graphics would be complete without a short overview of copyright law. Read this article, which provides for an overview of standard copyright protections as well as a discussion of Creative Commons and other open licenses. These licenses allow creators to retain some of their rights while encouraging others to reuse or revise their creations to varying degrees. Did you know that Saylor courses -- this one included -- use such alternatively-licensed materials in the form of Open Educational Resources?
Review sections 6.16 through 6.18 (on pages 90-92) of the FEMA technical writing course. In a paragraph (approx. 50-75 words), address why content licenses matter and how copyright might affect the decisions you make as a technical writer.