| Analysis
- Connect
the site design with the site objectives. Your primary task is to articulate
how the design functions to support the communication objectives of
the site.
- Explain
how the theme is revealed. Analyze how the design elements, composition,
etc. contribute to the revelation of the theme and/or message.
- Dig deeper.
Don't just describe the site. Design is about problem solving. The design
you see is one of thousands of possible design solutions. Use the design
to think in reverse about the problem the designer(s) faced and the
goals and objectives that he or she wished to accomplish. Don't just
explain "what" is on the site, but "how" and "why" the design functions
as it does.
- Support
your claims. For example, don't just say, "the site is easy to navigate"
or "the site has a high-tech feel." Rather, go on to explain what makes
it easy to navigate or how the design elements make it feel high-tech.
Use evidence from the site.
- Be more
critical. I'm happy if you liked the site(s). Indeed, many of them are
good examples of design. However, think about possible improvements
or other alternatives that may have worked as well. Beyond this, if
you really liked something, try to articulate why.
Writing
- Jump into
action. Don't begin your paper with "I chose this site because" or "The
assignment was to". Get right to the point.
- Use the
active voice and the present tense. Don't say, "The site seems
to be trying to." Do say, "The site trys." Don't say, "The site provided."
Do say, "The site provides."
- Consider
breaking your critique into categories with sub-heads such as "Communication
Objectives," "Look and Feel," etc. This will help organize both your
paper and your thinking.
- Use proper
grammar and spelling. It sometimes seems that students use questionable
grammar and spelling to obfuscate poorly constructed arguments. This
approach usually has the opposite effect, however.
- Consider
avoiding the first person. For example, movie reviewers don't usually
write reviews that are littered with "I think" and "I liked".
- You do
not need to mention the sites that you are not reviewing.
- Don't
be too informal. I know we are friends, but your writing should not
sound like conversational stream of consciousness. Use journalistic
style. Consider writing the critique as if it was for a publication
about Web design. Or, consider writing the critique as if you were hired
to do so by the company/organization whose site you are reviewing.
- Don't
just answer the questions listed on the requirements sheet. The questions
are meant to focus your thinking on the kinds of issues you should be
discussing in your critique/review. The questions are not meant to be
answered one by one.
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