Texts:
Edward R. Tufte, Visual Explanations: Images and Quantities, Evidence and Narrative
ISBN: 97809611392123 Cheshire CN: Graphics Press

John Berger, Ways of Seeing
ISBN: 97801240135152 London: Penguin

In this short, four week writing course, we will consider the relationships between text and image. Plan to write three papers, two of 4-5 pages and one longer, in which you assess the usefulness, quality, enhancement of the text and image. With a focus on one of the Tufte articles, your first paper will evaluate several particular news souces’ use of graphics, according to Tufte’s principles. In the second paper, you will consider how “art talk” enhances or detracts from your visualization of works of art. In a final, longer paper, you will choose to extend one of the other papers.

Prerequisites:

While 281 has no formal prerequisite, this is an intermediate writing course, and instructors expect entering students to know how to formulate claims, integrate evidence, demonstrate awareness of audience, and structure coherent sentences, paragraphs and essays. Thus we strongly encourage students to complete an introductory (100 level) writing course before enrolling in English 281.