Elements of an Essay and a PowerPoint Presentation
Elements – Essay
Design – Text-based, regular black font, one inch margins, double spacing
Title – Title page
Introduction – Topic, issue, thesis statement
Body – Paragraphs featuring one point each
Conclusion – Recap of main point, final thoughts
Paragraphs – Unified and cohesive paragraphs with topic and concluding sentences
Sentences – Complete sentences
Lists – Occasionally used to separate elements in a sentence.
Visuals/art -Tables, charts, and graphs display data and research results and make a paper visually appealing.
In-text citations – Quotes, paraphrases, summaries, and visuals require in-text citations.
Reference list + Last page lists full-citation references.
PowerPoint @
Visual design: color, theme, and layout options; art and multimedia options
Title slide
Slide title (topic); key points
Slides featuring one point each
Slide listing recap of main points
Unordered (bulleted) lists or a captioned image to convey key points
One-line fragments; unordered list (bullet points).
Lists are the building blocks of a PowerPoint.
Images, art, tables, charts, and graphs increase the impact and visual appeal of a presentation.
Quotes, paraphrases, and summaries, and visuals require in-text citations.
Last slide lists full-citation references
Assessment
This Competency Assessment assesses the following learning outcome(s):
CM220M5: Develop strategies for effective problem solving using digital media.
Think of the power of some commercials to get us to think about buying a new product, voting for a particular candidate, or contributing to a cause. Many of these commercials combine words, images, and sound in ways that appeal to our senses and emotions in a way that words alone may not be able to do. For this competency assessment, you will use technology, writing, and research skills to create a digital media presentation that combines text and images, and perhaps sound, to make an argument for change that can appeal to an audience, much like a powerful advertisement or public service announcement.
Identify a problem you want to solve in your community or workplace that would be researchable. You may want to propose that your workplace choose a new health care plan, advocate the need to put speed bumps in your neighborhood, or argue for a ban on plastic shopping bags in your city. It is recommended that you use the same topic you used in earlier modules since you have already created a thesis and found sources to support your claims.
Your digital media presentation should use the design suggestions provided in the Writing resource Creating Effective PowerPoint Presentations. More importantly, you are practicing your composition skills by combining text and images to compel your audience to recognize the importance of your argument.
Minimum Submission Requirements
The digital media presentation should have the following characteristics:
Slide presentation format (PowerPoint, Google Slides, etc.)
Title page/slide with the presentation title, your name, and course information
Contains at least 810 slides, not counting the title and references slides
Uses research from at least four sources, which should include at least 2 graphics with information
Minimally, four visuals (e.g., photo, table, diagram, chart, infographic, etc.)
Research and visuals are cited in APA 6th edition citation format, both in text and on a references slide or separate Word document. You need to quote material taken directly from a source. The same standards apply to a presentation that apply to an essay.
A clear message related to an argument for change in your community or workplace
Follows the criteria covered in Designing an Effective Presentation section of Creating Effective PowerPoint Presentations.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is an act of academic dishonesty. It violates the University Honor Code, and the offense is subject to disciplinary action. You are expected to be the sole author of your work. Use of another person’s work or ideas must be accompanied by specific citations and references. Whether the action is intentional or not, it still constitutes plagiarism.
