English 473: Dreamweaver Assignment

Using what you have learned about Dreamweaver, you will create your own site using Dreamweaver version 8 or CS3. You have three different options to choose from to complete the assignment.

Option 1: Create a Web Site

If you know of some person or entity that needs a Web site, you could use this assignment to create a real-world project that someone could use, such as a person needing a site to support his or her professional interests. Another possibility is to create a small Intranet site for a business or organization.

Option 2: Revise a Web Site

You might elect to revise an existing Web site. If you select this option, you would have revise both the content and design significantly. You would need to provide me with the original Web site (a URL would be fine) so I can see the extent to which you've overhauled the material.

Option 3: Create an Electronic Portfolio

More and more employers are looking for technical writers who can create online content. One way to show your capabilities is to create an electronic portfolio. An electronic portfolio is a Web site that introduces you, introduces projects you want to showcase, and then provides links to your sample projects in an appropriate format. If you decide to pursue this option, I will provide some handouts that will assist you in constructing the project. If you've created an electronic portfolio in my section of English 421, you may complete an electronic portfolio for this assignment, but you must pick different projects and use a new design to be fair to your classmates.

Requirements

Regardless of the assignment you select, your Web site needs to meet the following criteria: You must

• Discuss your project idea with me, at least informally, to make sure the idea will work for the assignment.
• Compose the material contained within the Web site. In the case of option 2, you must significantly revise the content.
• Make sure the DOCTYPE is either XHTML 1.0 Transitional or Strict; use one DOCTYPE consistently throughout the site.
• Create comprehensive site for a particular audience and purpose. The site should contain at least six pages, including the home page. Each page doesn't need to be lengthy, but it should cover the topic in its required depth.
• Control the appearance of your site solely through an external style sheet, incorporating acceptable typographical practices. Avoid embedded styles.
• Design the site to be viewed by people with a monitor setting of 800 x 600 in either Internet Explorer 7 or Firefox 3.
• Use a design that meets common Web design standards. If you have any questions about these standards, visit the Web Style Guide at http://www.webstyleguide.com.
• Include appropriate accessibility elements, such as alternative text.
• Incorporate at least two graphics. For the purposes of this assignment, you may consider a table to be a graphic. Don't use graphics for navigation unless they're incorporated into the style sheet.
• Publish the site to your student Web space or another appropriate location through Dreamweaver’s built-in publishing applet.
• Submit an accompanying memo (one to two pages) discussing the choices you made in constructing the site. Be sure to point out your site's strengths and items you're proud of. If there's something you wish you could have accomplished but couldn't, please mention it in the memo, too.