English 20803

Advocacy Web Site

spring 2022

Shearer

 

Using your entire semester’s worth of research, graphics, images, essays and media assignments, construct an advocacy web site based on your research topic and your findings, using a Wix.com template. The site will need to meet the criteria below:

 

 Evidence-Based Advocacy

• Clearly prove the exigence of an existing problem in human society.

• Follow scientific integrity: privilege evidence at the meta-analytic level, but indicate awareness of any important work at the pilot study level.

• Suggest an evidence-based specific call to action or policy change.

 

Assume a Leadership Role

• Shoulder responsibility for educating the public or audience about the problem. Use “catch and release” and fair use to publicize high-level research in layman’s terms.

• Use a "big net" approach so that your arguments will impact various levels of power: individuals free to make a choice,  professionals who can change the way they practice, and public policymakers who can implement wide-reaching changes. 

• Suggest a realistic call to action. Use your arbitration experience to attract opponents to your point of view.

• Direct your audience to any relevant, larger agencies or advocacy groups that affect public policy changes. (examples:  FDA or American Cancer Society).

                 

Acknowledge and Refute Opposing Points of View:

• Educate the public about the opposing point of view.

• Offer a counter-argument or rebuttal of opposing sides’ evidence.

 

Orchestrate Your Campaign:

• Create a 2-part media campaign: Wix + Twitter feed 

• Link to “kindred spirit” web sites.

• Use multiple links to other sites that will reinforce your message and support your cause.

 

Comply With Copyright Law and Fair Use (images and text)

• Acknowledge sources in an unobtrusive way; use hyperlinks wherever possible.

• Use photo credits where due, with hyperlinks, or transformational use.

• Use no more than 10% of an original source.

• Place your own copyright notice at the bottom of home page and all others.

 

Use Basic Branding Elements:

• Send a clear signal, using a consistent message and call to action.

• Use the basic “key” branding elements: template respect, typography/fonts, consistent color palette, consistent style for images.