For this project, you will need to put into practice elements of effective design and content to create a Real Estate Flier for a Haunted or Historical Location and then write a long memo which explains your choices in design and content.
THE GOALS
This assignment is designed to help you practice
Effective memo format and internal structure (header, paragraphing, organization, subheads, etc.)
Language style and appropriate level of detailed content for a long memo/informal report
Design elements that aid reader understanding and attention
Contrast
Alignment
Repetition
Proximity
Image choices that are relevant and attract reader attention
Color choices that reflect content and audience formality
Basic skills of common programs which can be used to design simple documents
Language styles and level of content associated with short announcement type of documents
Reading and following written and oral requirements for requested documents
Brochure
Being able to create basic documents that could be distributed to the public is a skill that can be beneficial in a number of fields and careers. This brochure will combine elements of an advertising flier and an informational brochure (which has more content). This is the most creative aspect of the project and allows for the most freedom in terms of the detail of the content and the design. Essentially you will create 1-2 page brochure in color which will advertise the sale of a haunted or historical location.
GRADING
An advertising flier/brochure has several sections included which are listed below.
A catchy title, designed to get the reader’s attention
Head(s) & Sub-headline(s)
Price (This is up to you)
Property Description (Physical description of the site)
History of the Location
Based on research.
Contact Agent (Use your real name, the company information is up to you)
Keep descriptions and explanations brief (but complete) and easy to read. Instead of long paragraphs, use short descriptive sentences and bullet points.
Language and Organization
Unlike the memo (which should be “toneless”), this brochure would be distributed to the public. Therefore, you can show more personal style than you would normally be able to do in a technical document. This document should have
Language tone that reflects the ethos of the location (formal, familiar, peppy, etc.) yet remains professional and uses Standard English.
“Tight” prose (no extra words, using strong vocabulary) and variety of sentence styles.
Organization that reflects content priorities and aids in reader understanding
Design
Overall, three main aspects will be graded
Use of the four design principles: Contrast, Alignment, Repetition, Proximity
Balance of white and dark space
Use of color that attracts interest and reflects audience awareness (Color scheme)
Section Value: 50 Points
Reflection Memo
As you are researching and designing your brochure you will make a number of choices. This memo is a narrative of the choices you made and why. It is one thing to complete a task, it is another to be able to describe your actions for review by others. The most successful self-reviews show conscious reflection of the self in the context of the tasks assigned, while being able to take into account the needs of the audience. This memo, therefore, should not only address the content, but actively reflect the information you have gathered from class and the text.
GRADING
This formal long memo will need to address a number of topics regarding your choices in designing your brochure.
Overview
Summarize the entirety of the memo
Information on the Site
(Introductory Summary of the Section)
What makes it interesting/why you chose this location
Historical background of the location
This will repeat the main points that you address in the brochure but will be more detailed. This could include a narrative of the history of the location, a detailed description of the location, tales and quotes about the location, etc.
Choices in Content
(Introductory Summary of the Section)
Who is the intended audience of the brochure? Where would you best publish or distribute this? (Not everyone would be in the market and not all could afford it.)
Why include the historical details that you did? (Rather than other details you found as listed above)
Why did you choose to word your header and subheads as you did?
What tone were you aiming for in your writing on the brochure? How do you try to reach your audience with your language?
Why did you choose the price that you did for the location?
What is your fake company name? Why did you choose that name?
Choices in Design
(Introductory Summary of the Section)
How does your layout and design incorporate CARP?
Contrast
Alignment
Repetition
Proximity
What are the images that you used (include the images properly captioned in the memo as well)? Why did you choose those images? Did you alter or adjust them in anyway?
What colors did you use in the brochure? Why did you choose those? How do these choices reflect your audience?
How did you balance images and text on the page? Did you choose to use a lot of images or only a few? Why?
Conclusion
(Summary of the report)
What have been your strengths and weaknesses in completing the project?
Do you think that you can use the information you practiced in this project in the future? How?
References
A list of references which includes both text and image sources.
Language
This memo would appear in the professional world as an internal document. Therefore, it should reflect the “toneless,” fact driven language style of a technical document. This memo should have
A professional tone that reflects a formal business setting and uses Standard English.
“Tight” prose (no extra words, using strong vocabulary) and variety of sentence styles.
Format
Overall, the document should use standard formats for a short report/long memo
Correct use of routing headings
Block paragraphs
Consistent and appropriate use of font formatting
Correct use of subheads
Good use of images
Section Value: 80 Points
