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1. The purpose of this document is to inform interested parties about the need for volunteers in the Lansing school system's debate program as well as the benefits and details of involvement. Its goal is also to interest the reader to the point of action, the best being intrigue and the worst being mild curiosity. Presented in plain text format with a single graphic in the upper left corner, it is straightforward and targeted for the reader whose attention is already fixated on the subject. It is a casual flyer targeted at those with prior interest in debate and speech activities and makes little deviation from this topic, suggesting that it is intended for serious inquiries only.
2. The flyer's format is simple and direct: black text in common font lays on regular white paper; the text is arranged by "what", "why", "what's involved", and "contact", save for a brief description under the title, which is in larger font; a brightly colored cartoon is at the top as an aesthetic supplement.
This format is ideal for the concerned, educated individual because it presents the facts with little distraction or graphic representation. Since most debaters are quite used to large masses of text, this truly is the most effective way to reach such an audience. However, since other parties should and are targeted, this can be a disastrous disadvantage as well. Those unacquainted with debate and speech or not initially interested in the topic will not be as willing to read the somewhat uninteresting mass of uncolored, unaesthetic text. It fails to grab the attention of the passing reader but is sufficient to inform those who are the most likely to participate; its exclusivity is more of a hindrance than a help, in my opinion.
3. This flyer was handed to me at the RCAH resource fair by Professor Batt, the organizer of this effort. This was a positive addition to the flyer because, again, having prior interest and and debate education, the one-on-one conversation with Prof. Batt was the most captivating part of the experience. Conversing with him and getting a broader description of the program was better than the flyer itself, though the details are explained more thoroughly with it.
4. My overall impression of this flyer was that it interested me personally by bringing attention with something I have a relationship with, debate and speech. The only reason I read it was because I was slightly interested in this opportunity; I signed up before reading the flyer but the information was essential to my participation. Besides this interest in debate, I particularly enjoyed the gold cartoon in the corner - it is attractive but not distracting. The flyer's format is exhausting in its length and dry material, even for an interested reader.
5. Here is my moment-to-moment thought process:
I'd skimmed it but until working on this I had not sat down and read it closely. When I did, I thought: "I just love that little gold guy... The title is too long. I like the what-why-how format. There are some grammatical issues in this, but it's a casual flyer, so it's fine. The personal style of writing is a nice touch - it seems like Shawn Batt really wants to interact with volunteers and do some good in the community. The voice sounds honest and open. This is pretty long, though. Only people who want to read this are going to read it..." At this point, I skimmed it again, judged it, and began this assignment.
6. My eye first went to the gold cartoon, then to the what-why-how-contact subtitles. At that point I forced my attention to the title and description at the top and worked my way downward.
7. The basic message of this text is that there is a program for speech in debate in the Lansing school system and there's a need for volunteers in the program. Basically, one would work with students in the greater Lansing area by attending, coaching or judging debate tournaments. It explains the benefits this will provide to the students in their quest for higher education and how RCAH students can take a credited class for this. There is contact information at the bottom to express any interest in the program.
8. My main question was how to contact Prof. Batt if I was interested. This was answered at the bottom under "Contact".
9. I expected to be informed in more detail about this program, such as what exactly I would be doing and where it would happen. This was partially answered throughout each section, but it never said in what setting or with whom. It did not specify how I would go to wherever I had to go and how many hours I would have to contribute.
10. The text assumes that the reader is interested in the topic already; this is obvious because it does not try to captivate an unwilling audience. One would have to understand what debate and speech entail to know enough to want to join.
11. The personality in this flyer comes off as casual and personal, as though the author is happy to help volunteers and those interested. There are phrases that indicate this ("it IS fun"; "even if you are starting..."; "if you are interested..."; etc.) and the way it was distributed (personally) forms an open and inviting experience.
12. The writer is very inviting throughout - especially at the end when contact information is displayed and also when he speaks of knowledge and communication. It gives off a sense of helpfulness and warmth, and the opportunity seems welcoming.
13. The text is the unattractive center of the 'shot': it is the most important and necessary visual but is definitely not alluring at all. The writer seems to move in under the 'why' section, which is passionate and honest in its structure. The rest is a bit fuzzy and broad, though very informative. The golden cartoon is definitely in the foreground, which, depending on the writer's goal, could be a positive or negative effect.
