lobby infographics
"speaking words" with "pictures"

...What is an "Infographic"?

Well...you're looking at one! Infographics are a fun and quick way to learn about information...without a ton of reading! They come in all shapes and sizes...but the goal of an infographic is to be shared! And you are all going to make individual and unique Infographics on lobbying!

Last class, you learned about lobbying: the process of "influencing" members of Congress to vote, or act in a certain way. Today, I'd like you to "create" something for me: Below are your areas of content from which you can choose. Remember, they all have to do with lobbying: 

1. Growth in Spending
2. Top Spenders
3. Top Lobbying Firms
4. Ranked Sectors
5. Industries
6. Contracts
7. Issues
8. Agencies
9. Bills
10. Contributions

You will all be using the popular website OpenSecrets.org to do your research. And you'll be using the Infographic-creater softwear found on infogr.am. Today's class might seem hard, as you have to "create" something for me, with little to no direction. 

Let's get started!

Part i: Getting Your Info

• Click here or go to "http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby" to access OpenSecret's webpage. On the left, you'll find your specific topic. Click on your topic to access the information.
• Now...before you actually make your Infographic, you need to know what to say! Take some time to read through the information. Take notes if you'd like...or just read for content. And now that you're familiar with the information, it's time to make the graphic!

Part II: Making Your Graphic

• Now it's time to make your graphic! Click here or go to https://infogr.am/app/#/home. 
• Log in!
• If you are in Block 5 U.S. Government, use the following login information <barnesblock5> and <password>
• If you are in Block 7 U.S. Government, use the following login information <barnesblock6> and <password>. I know you guys are "Block 7", and not "Block 6", but please use the "barnesblock6" login!
• Then, find the "Start With Design" header, and click on "Infographic or Report"!

• When it asks you to "Pick a Theme For Your Project", choose from any of the following "free themes". They're all basically the same, but vary by color, etc. (NOTE: All designs "start" the same. They all have the same general layout. On the next screen you'll be able to change it as you see fit...).  When you've chosen your theme, click, "Use". 

• Now, THIS is the most important part! READ ALL THE DIRECTIONS!
• On the screen, you have your "blank template". But that's not all you get! 
• LOOK TO THE LEFT: You can add any charts, maps, text objects or images you want!
• LOOK TO THE TOP: You can change the settings (colors, widths, etc.) to anything you want! You also need to change the title to your topic AND WRITE YOUR NAME!!! If you don't, I won't know whose it is!
• Lastly, LOOK TO THE TEMPLATE: You just click to type and click to edit. For graphs and charts, a separate screen will come up for data.
• NOTE: You're all "computer literate". If you have a question, try to figure it out yourself!
  
• This might seem hard, cuz you wanna be told what to do, but I'm giving you freedom to do something on your own! Get out there and create, for me, something that I should know about lobbying, based on the topic of your choice! That's all you have to do: as the teacher, I want you to show me something, that you've created, based your own intellect and computer skill. That's it!

• Now it's time to get to work!
• Again...your goal is to take the OpenSecrets information and present it in Infographics form! What information should you include? Up to you! How should I format it? Up to you!
• Don't worry about "saving" your graphic, as it automatically adds to my library.
• GOOD LUCK!