Netflix

https://signup.netflix.com/Login?country=1&rdirfdc=true

The home page I decided to choose is one I feel that is getting more popular day by day, and that is Netflix. Netflix home page is so easy to navigate for anyone of any ages, even if one is not computer friendly. The netflix website lets users watch unlimited movies, tv shows, and many more for just 7.99 a month with no additional fee. When one goes on the website they can see that this home page is plain with a red back round and a picture of a couple watching television. On the right of the panel it lets users login to their user screen name to start watching their movies or shows. However it makes it user friendly if one doesn't have an account and wants to sign up. Sign up box is on the top right hand corner. I like the rest of the website because there is no more boxes or things to click so this makes it less confusing. To me these are all easy convections for people, and I feel if people say this website they would think its very user friendly.

-Samantha Harvill

9-28-11 blog

http://www.google.com/

I have chosen Google's homepage. Google has had the same homepage for a very long time and yet, one never grows old of it. I think what makes it so unique I'd the fact that it is such a simple page to look at. There aren't buttons everywhere for someone to get annoyed, nor are are there advertisements on that page. The logo is always the same, except for the days when there is a significant Holliday or celebration (for example, the Muppets were seen on the logo once).
The homepage has many conventions to make it successful; to begin with, it I'd completely user friendly. I mentioned earlier that there weren't buttons everywhere for a user to get annoyed. It has on the top options of what a user can pick from, such as news, video, or the widely popular images. Yet, even when a user clicks on the images button, the page where ken is taken is also very simple and user friendly.
Another convention is the search bar. It is in the center of the page, so it doesn't confuse the user on where to look for their materia,s, or how to begin. My favorite convention is the "I'm feeling lucky button". It is their to make the users time on the website quick and resourceful. The color layout of the page is easy on the eyes so that a user won't be tempted to change super quick.
Google definitely knows what they are doing to attract an audience and make their time on their website pleasant.

Design

Select a text or product. Post a link to it (or an image of it) here. Analyze the design of the product, paying special attention to the conventions. Briefly discuss the conventions in terms of scale (small scale vs. large scale).

Visual

http://www.eden.co.uk/images/300/WBRCR-27.jpg

This picture is a picture of a catholic rosary, which is a necklace with beads all around. This necklace is very popular and meaningful in the catholic church. It is used to count the series of prayers that make up the rosary. The prayers consist of repeated sequences of the Lord’s Prayer followed by ten prayings. The ten prayings represent Hail Mary and a single praying of "Glory to be Father.” The fingers are moved along the beads as the prayers are recited. When people prayer using a rosary its more mediating to most people. Each rosary looks different and the beads can be made from a variety of materials, which can include wood, bone, glass, and stone. Depending on what the beads are made from rosary prices vary from all prices, and some can be very expensive. I picked this image because it signifies so much in the catholic church and represents different things as well, and is cherished.

-Samantha Harvill

New Terms from 9/19

Transformation
Icons
Artifact
Definition
Visual Rhetoric
Symbols
Deductive Application
Communication
Inductive Exploration
Rhetorical Theory
Abstract

Visual Rhetoric

Find a visual artifact online. Post a link to it here, then rhetorically analyze it using the framework/lens provided by Foss (nature/function/evaluation).

Definition of Rhetoric

Rhetoric is the art of tactfully speaking in the sense that the rhetor uses all constraints as well as any other factors to successfully convince his audience.

-Layni Case

Rhetoric Definition

The use of verbal, visual and/or written communication as a way of persuading an audience into a desired course of action, thus resulting in the collaboration of knowledge between the rhetor and audience.

--Taylor Malkus

--Samantha Schaum

--Laura Chami

--Piper Hurley

--Christina Natale

rhetoric in just one sentence...

Rhetoric is any form of communication where a rhetor strives to persuade, or change the thoughts of an audience in order to bring them past an obstacle in a possible misleading way.

-Samantha Harvill

-Spencer Frankeberger

-Jenny Mckee

-Adam Sheppard

Group definition of rhetoric

A situation in making language an appealing piece of influential art through a variety of means rather than just a form of communication, in order to convince an audience of your argument.

A Definition of Rhetoric

Rhetoric is the combination of methods utilized by the speaker to appropriately address a situation and enact a change in the audience.

- Chelsea Moore, Matt Tomonto, Emma Thornton, Mary-Shannon Crawford

Rhetorical Situation Terms

audience
situation
exigence
constraints
rhetoric
purpose
discourse
communication
limits
nature
context
organization
structure
ethos
pathos 
logos