9-19-12 Homework

Summary:
This reading focusses on how people perceive what they are reading.  A good example of this is ads.  The concept of gestalt is discussed, showing that there is different ways we interpret the ads we are looking at.  If there are a group of words or pictures close together, gestalt says that we will group them together.  When you group them together you are getting the message faster because you are seeing it as one big picture.  It is also important to choose your font and size of the font wisely.  The big text can capture the eye and bring you in to read the rest of it.

Synthesis:
This can be related back to our other readings because when we are choosing a text four our research, we are more likely to reading something that stands out and catches our eye.  Not only do we have to be smart about our writing, but we have to be smart about what we choose to write about.  The articles we choose to research will shape our paper so we need to choose one that stands out.

QDJ:
4.) I believe you are supposed to write an essay that follows a specific format because our papers need to be organized.  If you just wrote in a completely unplanned pattern your work would be sloppy and all over the place.  Having a format is a good way to place each thought where it needs to be in order to create a meaningful text.

AEI:
3.) Gestalt is focussing attention on the total visual impact of the text on a prospective reader.  The second definition of gestalt is good continuation.  This means that our visual perception pulls figures out of the background to give them definition in the undistinguished field they are in.  The third law of gestalt is closure.  This simply means filling in the gaps of what we do not see.  The fourth law of gestalt is the law of similarity.  This is when we see resemblance in shape, size, color, or direction and we group them together.  Knowing the definition helps us to understand what the article is talking about because it helps us to follow along.