| Since the 2000s, increased attention has been demanded by scholars of rhetoric and
composition, realizing and emphasizing multimodal composition’s potential to encourage more
effective communication and critical thinking. Many scholars have focused on visual rhetoric (a
blend of textual, auditory, video, and digital elements) and how these tools support engaging and
more interactive communication as well as contribute to pedagogy. However, few scholars have
focused on infographics (one of the elements of visual rhetoric) and their impact on pedagogy.
Infographics are a representation of information or data where graphics and text are combined
and to help express complex data more easily. Recent research shows that infographics have a
positive impact on pedagogy and foster student engagement, communication, and learning
outcomes. But infographics can be a better tool of learning when it is taught formally, specially
in the composition classroom. This study will explore both theoretical and practical aspects of
infographics and the value of instructions, taking qualitative and quantitative surveys with
instructors and students to identify pedagogical value. The outcome of this thesis will be
examining the impact of instructions on how to use and interpret infographics in multimodal
composition and how this enhances students' ability of critical thinking, creativity, and
engagement by presenting complex ideas more efficiently.
Keywords: Instructions, First-year writing, Multimodality, Visual rhetoric, Infographics, Critical
thinking, Creativity, Action Research. |