When you critique…
A few pointers, in no particular order, for those of you rolling up your sleeves to critique that web site for me…
- You need to assess its usability. That is, critique it for how easy it's to use. Does it give you what you want efficiently, without wasting your time?
- Since usability is a component of quite a few things, you would look for all those. Thus, check out the site for its quality of organisation, navigation, labelling, content, searchability, etc. And, yes, before you ask, you can organise your essay under subheads.
- A caution: you have only 650-700 words to play with (do not exceed or fall below), so you need to make your points quickly. What I suggest is, test/assess each element, then write a tight para or two on each based on your findings.
- Another caution: focus on the allotted sub-site -- namely, Accommodation. In other words, limit your criticism to the pages within the section. Leave the rest of the site alone (though you can mention how this section fits into the whole)!
- Talk about what you would change, why.
- Do, do note: this is an academic essay. In other words, you need references. Web resources are fine. Use Harvard style. See Matt Holland's notes (PDF) on citation. Not asking for many, but would like to see a few of the names/texts we’ve discussed in our workshops mentioned.
- Ensure you conclude the essay. Be bold, take a stand.
posted by Chindu at 4:17 PM
11 Comments:
Chindu, Why is it important to us to use references when doing the site critique? We write academic essays all the time and are familiar with the format. Are we not meantt to be critiquing the site from your workshop teachings?
Anonymous (Carla?): Why I say use references is because I would like to see you base your opinions on the fundamentals we've discussed. We have looked at some of the relevant writings online and offline. Not looking for a lot of references, just a few, enough to show you've done your reading, and are familiar with the reasons why. Hope that makes it clear.
Chindu, can you please make it clearer what the 'elements' are that we are supposed to be looking at?? because there are alot of aspects of the web site that could be discussed but not a very big word allowance.
Anonymous: You would need to look at organisation, navigational ease, content, labelling, searchability, most certainly. And also, do mention if you find the site visually pleasing as well.
Hi Chindu,
I was wondering. As I do. Does the fact that it's an 'academic essay' mean that it has to be boring and formal, or can we use something like a 'cool narrative voice' to make it more interesting and liven it up a bit? Not too informal, just interesting.
Nina: it needn't be boring, but the language you use should be formal. You are most welcome to write good English (as in, you needn't say everything in passive voice -- it can be argued that... that sort of thing), clean and direct. Interesting, yes, do make it so within the essay format. But please do not write in first person, or second person, for instance.
Chindu, I am finding that due to the strict word limit it is more difficult to write this assignment. I am not able to fit all of my notes into the word limit (however hard I try) and therefore it's difficult to know which aspects could be left out and what should go in. This is what also makes putting scholarship in difficult as it simply bumps up the word limit so quickly. Any tips for selecting the points to make?
Carla: Relax, it can be done. Last year's batch did it with just 450 words! :-) Focus on usability. Not looking for a page-by-page break-up, but assessment of the site based on your findings on content, design, navigation etc. A para or two on each aspect.
Emma, I will try and pass on your thoughts to the people concerned...
Searchability is what I used, Katie. And, hey, I think we had a long enough discussion on that in quite a few sessions? Internal search is, yes, part of it.
Katie: Chill. That's okay.
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