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Course Description

Writing 105M focuses on the strategies, processes, and theories of effective multimedia communication. We study writing in the context of digital technologies that enable combinations of different media–for instance, images, audio, video, and/or interactivity used alongside alphanumeric text to convey a message. Projects in the course involve analyzing, creating, and reflecting on new ways of communicating that include multiple modes. We examine digital rhetoric and the opportunities and constraints that digital technologies offer as we experiment with multimedia compositions.

All of the projects in the course center around an issue, problem, or topic that you select; your goal is to communicate informative, persuasive, and/or engaging messages to different audiences using different media.

The schedule, projects, and resources for the class are all available at https://sorapure.net/105m. The website will be updated throughout the quarter. There is also a Canvas website for this course which will be used just for due dates, attendance, and posting grades. Here is a link to a PDF with the course syllabus, projects, and schedule; the schedule will be updated with any changes on this website but not on the PDF.

Grade proportions and policies

  • Padlet with resources–20%
  • Image/text & Author’s Note–20%
  • Presentation & Author’s Note–20%
  • Video & Author’s Note–20%
  • Wix website–20%

Late policy: Assignments are due on the date and time indicated in the syllabus. Anything after that is considered late. For each full day that the assignment is late, one step of a grade will be deducted. For instance, if your project would have gotten a grade of B were it submitted on time, it will get a B- if submitted one day late, a C+ if submitted two days late, a C if submitted three days late, and so on.

Learning Outcomes

Rhetorical Knowledge: Develop a rhetorical understanding of digital, multimodal documents, reflecting on the design, audience, argument, purpose, and genre choices that came together to create the artifact’s message. 

Advanced Writing Skills: Adapt structure and style to particular genres, modes of communication, and rhetorical contexts; refine grammatical, mechanical, and stylistic abilities.

Application: Produce writing that demonstrates proficiency in modes, mediums, and platforms associated with digital composing.

Analysis: Apply theories and strategies of multimedia composing and information design in the production and analysis of digital texts.

Research: Develop credible, ethical, independent researching skills with digital resources, paying particular attention to the attribution of sources related to copyright and AI production.

Strategies for Success (here’s the Gamma version)

  1. Find Your Style: Make every assignment your own by connecting it to your unique perspective and voice. Your style will develop and strengthen as you lean into choices that you genuinely care about and are drawn to. Give it time: this process takes a lot of experimentation and iteration.
  2. Take Creative Risks: Push beyond the obvious choices and experiment with new tools, platforms, and approaches. It’s ok to take big risks and fail in a big way if you can show what you’ve learned and apply that learning in subsequent projects.
  3. Make Your Process Visible: Share your thinking, justify your choices, and engage actively with classmates. Every detail of your work, from initial concept to final layout, should reflect intentional decision-making.
  4. Build Your Network: Learn from your peers through collaboration and constructive feedback. Engaging with others in class discussions and group projects will strengthen your own creative practice.
  5. Use Resources: Take advantage of every available tool for learning: office hours, peer feedback, tutorials, AI tools, online communities, and campus resources. The best multimedia writers are resourceful problem-solvers.
  6. Practice Reflection: Document your learning journey. Regular reflection not only improves your current work but also prepares you to do more effective work in the future.

Important Information

  • My email is sorapure@ucsb.edu.
  • Our class meets on MW from 3:30-4:45 in Phelps 1529.
  • My office hours (for now) are Wednesdays from 10:00-12:00 in my office (South Hall 1522). But I’m available at lots of other times, via Zoom or in person, so feel free to send me an email to set up a time to meet.
  • Because much of the work of the course will be done during class time, your attendance and participation are very important.
  • You are allowed two absences altogether. I don’t differentiate between excused and unexcused absences. If you are absent from class more than twice, your final grade will be lowered by one grade for each absence (e.g., if you are absent three times, an A becomes an A-; if you are absent four times, an A becomes a B+). Keep in mind that we are already missing two Monday classes because of holidays.
  • If you arrive late to class, I count that as half an absence.
  • Remember that even if you are absent you are responsible for any work that is done during class and for any assignments that are given or are due during class. Send me an email or meet me during my office hours to find out what you missed.

Use of AI

In this course, you’re permitted and even encouraged to explore AI writing and multimedia tools as a resource for generating ideas, refining your work, or seeking inspiration or feedback. However, it is important to use these tools responsibly and critically. Here are a few guidelines to help you make the most of AI tools while maintaining your own voice and rhetorical agency:

  • Think critically: AI tools produce language patterns but don’t truly “know” things and can generate incorrect information, so always verify any facts or claims they provide and use them as supplements to your own research and ideas.
  • Acknowledge the use of AI: When you use AI tools in your work, clearly explain how and when you used them to promote transparency and develop your self-reflection.
  • Pursue your own rhetorical and creative choices: While AI can be helpful, you need to ensure that it doesn’t overshadow your unique voice and thinking process.

Campus Resources

Also, I am always available to help via email, during my office hours, or by appointment. I’ve been teaching at UCSB since the beginning of time, so I can probably point you in the right direction if you have a question or a problem.

If you need special course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, please get in touch after the first or second class session and we’ll set that up.

And finally, if there’s a resource you need for the course but can’t afford, get in touch and I’ll figure out a way to help.

Google folder for our class: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1wX0vsGnOc8FycDcWf7hGQPBGJU7carqr?usp=sharing

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