First off, read THIS article on persuasive websites, specifically how to persuade people to do something without necessarily writing anything.
Like argumentative speeches and essays, websites can persuade readers to change their position on debatable topics. However, websites will often take advantage of graphics, placement of images, and attention-grabbing (clickbait) headlines rather than drawn-out arguments encompassing pages (...and pages and pages) of text.
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THE PROJECT:
Design a website to take specific positions on an issue. You can go as serious as bullying, stress in schools, depression, etc. or as lighthearted as why Fox News is the most reliable news source EVAR, why Buzzfeed isn't just copy-pasted from original content, or somewhere in between like the viability of Wikipedia as a legitimate source for school essays.
First, check your topic with me. Then, research your topic and design your website.
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You need the following 5 pages:
- Describe the issue
- What are its consequences?
- What are possible solutions and actions viewers of your website can take to help?
- List your sources (use at least 7 different sites/books)
- Use this page as your write-up to explain why you chose the topic you did and to defend what choices you made for image placement, colors on the site, etc. Why do you think I should be persuaded by your site? (This will probably be your most text-heavy page)
6 things I'll be looking for when I grade:
- Is your site well-written (are your code comments clear)?
- Does your title make me want to read further (would I click your link if I ran into it on the internet?) Please make sure to change the <title> on each page, too!
- Do you have well-placed, relevant pictures that capture my interest?
- Can I tell what you're trying to persuade me to think/do? (You need some text, but this should not look like a 5-page English essay. A hint: use short paragraphs, short sentences, and simple words)
- Did you list 7+ sources?
- Does your write-up explain your thought process for why you chose what you did for your site?
Have someone else in the class check your work on their computer before submitting!!!!
-- make sure that the images and links still work correctly!
Finally, use the "Submit Your Work" button at the top of this page to submit your work. All your images and pages need to be in a zipped folder.
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This project is due on Friday, January 23rd and will be your first grade for Semester 2.