Instructional Writing: World War II Visual Propaganda 

Instructional Writing · College Composition · 2015

Project Overview

In Fall 2015, I designed and taught two sections of English 103 (Advanced English Composition) at the University of Alabama, using World War II visual propaganda as a unifying theme for rhetorical analysis and research-based writing. Students examined American, British, German, and Japanese perspectives through visual and multimedia materials including wartime propaganda films and cartoons, British children's books about barrage balloons, and later works reflecting on the war, such as Pink Floyd's The Wall and the Japanese animated film Spriggan.

I developed a sequence of writing assignments that guided students from summary and rhetorical critique through research proposals, annotated bibliographies, researched arguments, and reflection. These assignments were supported by structured peer review, individual writing conferences, and library research activities. The selected materials demonstrate my approach to explaining complex writing tasks, scaffolding research and analytical skills, and providing clear, actionable guidance for student writers.

Skills Demonstrated

Instructional writing, curriculum development, audience awareness, scaffolding complex tasks, research instruction, and peer-review design.

Writing Samples

The documents below illustrate both the overall course design and selected instructional activities.

Course Overview and Semester Schedule
This document contains selected excerpts from the course policies and syllabus for English 103: World War II Visual Propaganda, including the course description, student learning outcomes, major writing assignments, and semester schedule reflecting the course as documented in 2015. Institutional policies, administrative information, and other material unrelated to instructional design have been omitted.
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Diagnostic Essay
An introductory activity helping students recognize and analyze rhetorical strategies in familiar visual media.
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Critique Assignment
A scaffolded rhetorical analysis assignment guiding students through evaluating portrayals of Nazis in World War II propaganda cartoons and films. Students use visual evidence, rhetorical appeals, and audience analysis to develop and support an argument.
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Research Proposal Assignment
A proposal assignment breaking the research planning process into manageable steps, guiding students through developing research questions, identifying potential sources, engaging with existing research, and anticipating project challenges.
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Research Proposal Peer Review
A structured peer-review worksheet helping students provide constructive, actionable feedback on research proposals. The activity emphasizes evaluating content and organization, identifying areas for improvement, and developing a revision plan.
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