Sota: theory of visual rhetoric in 1st year comp classes suzanne Webb February 27, 2007 I will review the state of the art of theory of visual rhetoric in 1st-year comp classes and then, as part of this review, give you, my audience

SOTA: THEORY OF VISUAL RHETORIC IN 1ST YEAR COMP CLASSES Suzanne Webb February 27, 2007

I will review the state of the art of theory of visual rhetoric in 1st-year comp classes and then, as part of this review, give you, my audience, a feel for what DRPW TAs are currently teaching in WRA writing courses at MSU.

“I’d like to introduce you to…”

• “I’d like to introduce you to…”

• …an ongoing conversation which lies in between tech writing, visual rhetoric, graphic design, and first-year composition.

Look Who’s Talking

• Stephen Bernhardt, Sam Dragga, Christina Haas, Gail Haiwisher, Mary Hocks, Jim Porter, Cynthia Selfe, Craig Stroupe, Patricia Sullivan, Ann Wysoki, Kathleen Yancy, and (of course) Gunther Kress.

• And, lately, Lee Sherlock, Dundee Lackey,

• Doug Walls, and Jim Ridolfo are entering the conversation.

Ten years ago, the conversation seemed more of controversy as educators wrestled with conflicting ideas and a lack of empirical research from tech-based writing classrooms.

• Ten years ago, the conversation seemed more of controversy as educators wrestled with conflicting ideas and a lack of empirical research from tech-based writing classrooms.

• Today, while certain educators remain skeptical, many like-minded teachers teach that visual rhetoric is rhetoric and therefore must be stitched into the very fabric that holds first year writing together.