IMM340H1 Summer 2022

Fundamental Immunology

Infographic Assignment (Summer 2022) – due June 20, 11:59pm ET

The purpose of this assignment is to produce educational infographics with topics related to weekly course
content. Infographics are specific types of visualizations that use a mix of data, visuals and text to inform or
persuade an audience about a given message. They are common in marketing and social media but are
becoming more popular as ways to disseminate scientific information to attract/engage audiences.

Students will work independently and design infographics that communicate their understanding of an article’s
main points and impact. Students will be assigned a topic (based on our weekly lecture topics) and can select a
peer-reviewed primary paper from a selection of papers provided by the course instructor pertaining to that topic.
The designed infographics should communicate the authors’ scientific story, with consideration of layout, fonts
and colours, and data visualization. Students are encouraged to design/create their own images/cartoons to
explain concepts described in the study, describe novel techniques used by the authors, and highlight the overall
impact of the work.

1) This assignment is worth 20% of your total grade for this course.

2) Your infographic assignment will be based on a pre-selected lecture topic, which will be assigned to you on
Quercus during week 2 of classes.

3) Your infographic must be submitted on Quercus by 11:59pm on June 20, 2022. Submission of hard copy
is not required.

What is an Infographic?
An infographic is a highly visual representation of information, data or content that is intended to quickly
communicate information to a reader. In your case, you will be communicating information based on a primary
research article. An infographic is smaller than, but similar to, a poster. It communicates a central argument,
topic or thesis focusing on the overall patterns, themes or salient points.

How do I Design an Infographic?

An infographic can be designed using graphic design software (e.g. Photoshop, PowerPoint and Word can be
used). However, new online digital tools for Infographic creation also exist including Canva, Piktochart or
Infogr.am. BioRender also has a new Poster Template, which can be useful for your infographic layout. Free
versions of all of these tools exist, with respective limitations. The way in which you design your infographic is
less relevant than your ability to convey your overall message.

IMM340H1 (Fundamental Immunology): Infographic Assignment – Summer 2022

 IMM340 Infographic Guidelines
Effective infographics tell a story, much like a scientific paper tells a story. There is an introduction, main
argument, and conclusion. Each element (text, graphics, data, etc.) meaningfully contribute to communicating
an accurate and concise presentation of information. As a quick visual representation, an infographic should be
easy to comprehend and read in less than a minute.
Your infographic should include the following sections (explicit subheadings do not need to be used, but it should
be apparent which section is being included):
1. A descriptive title. This should not be the title of the primary paper you are basing your infographic on,
but could be a creative title to capture your reader!
2. Introduction. Background or overview of why this study was conducted, the authors’ associated
research question, and the overall impact of their study in the context of the field. Suggested length of
text (if any): ~100 words.
3. Materials & Methods. Provide methodological details for any specific results that you will highlight as
part of the authors’ study, particularly if they are employing unique methods. Suggested length of text (if
any): ~100 words.
4. Overview of Findings. What were the authors’ major observations? Feel free to reproduce data
summaries from the authors’ original paper if helpful for visually depicting your message. You may decide
to include figure captions, or alternate text to explain these findings (suggested length of text: ~100-150
words).
5. Discussion/Conclusions. Outline the significance of the authors’ work in the context of the field.
Suggested length of text (if any): ~100 words; can be point form.
6. References. This should include the paper your infographic is based on, in addition to other sources you
may cite primarily in the introduction and discussion/conclusions sections. It is important that the
information in your infographic be accurate and properly cited. Infographics should easily allow readers
to access referenced material through citation.

Advice for Getting Started:

- Extract the authors’ key messages. Papers are complicated! The abstract is typically a good place to
start when attempting to understand the authors’ key message, as it often concisely summarizes the
authors’ key points.
- Simplify language. Academic jargon can often be difficult to understand. Cut the jargon and rework your
message to use as few words as possible to make it understandable. Recall that people need to be able
to scan the limited text in an infographic rapidly to get your message – the simpler your language, the
more effective your infographic is likely to be at communicating your key message. Be mindful of the
suggested word limits described above.
- Visualize your key messages – this is not an easy task!
o Draw all the images that come to mind as you think of each of the authors’ main points, choosing
images you think communicate the point most powerfully.
o Do a google search for inspiration.
o Get a second opinion – what seems an obvious representation to you might not be obvious to
others.
- Come up with a layout. Landscape? Portrait? Completely up to you. Sizing of your document may range
from legal size (8.5x14 inches) to tabloid size (11x17 inches). More information does not necessarily
equal ‘better’ – conciseness and effective visual layout is key.

— Your infographic will be assessed using the criteria indicated in the rubric on the next page —

IMM340H1 (Fundamental Immunology): Infographic Assignment – Summer 2022

 Description Achievement Level
Excellent Good Average Low
(100%) (85%) (70%) (40%)
Scientific Content & Argument (50%) All sections of the All sections of the All sections of the Most, but not all sections
infographic are present. infographic are present. infographic are present. of the infographic are
Infographic should include: A descriptive title, introduction, present.
materials & methods, overview of findings, Introduction Introduction Introduction
discussion/conclusions, references. Thorough background Thorough background using Thorough background Introduction
using published literature published literature sources. using published Thorough background
sources. Rationale for the Rationale for the hypothesis literature. Rationale for using published
1. Introduction. Background or overview of why this study is established and is established but importance the hypothesis is not literature. Neither
study was conducted, the authors’ associated the importance of the of the research question is established but rationale for the
research question, and the overall impact of their research question is clear. unclear. importance of the hypothesis or importance
study in the context of the field. research question is of the research question
2. Materials & Methods. Provide methodological Materials & Methods Materials & Methods are well-established.
clear.
details for any specific results that you will highlight Methodological Methodological approaches
as part of the authors’ study, particularly if they are approaches used by used by authors are well- Materials & Methods
Materials & Methods
employing unique methods. authors are well-outlined outlined but require some Methodological
Methodological
3. Overview of Findings. What were the authors’ major and clear. clarity. approaches used by
approaches used by
observations? Feel free to reproduce data summaries authors are completely
authors require some
from the authors’ original paper if helpful for visually Overview of Findings Overview of Findings unclear or missing.
clarity.
depicting your message. Authors’ major findings are Authors’ major findings are
4. Discussion/Conclusions. Outline the significance of well-interpreted and well-interpreted and mostly Overview of Findings
Overview of Findings
the authors’ work in the context of the field. represented. accurate. Authors’ major findings
Authors’ major findings
5. References. This should include the paper your are not well discussed and
are not well discussed or
infographic is based on, in addition to other sources Discussion/Conclusions Discussion/Conclusions are inaccurate.
are inaccurate.
you may cite primarily in the introduction and Major conclusions that can Major conclusions stated but
discussion/conclusions sections. It is important that be drawn are stated could be more concise. Discussion/Conclusions
Discussion/Conclusions
the information in your infographic be accurate and concisely. Results are Results are interpreted and Major conclusions are not
Major conclusions are not
properly cited. Infographics should easily allow interpreted with reference mostly make appropriate stated. Results are not
stated clearly. Results are
readers to access referenced material through to the literature (i.e. do references to the literature interpreted appropriately
not interpreted
citation. findings fit with other (i.e. do findings fit with other and are lacking references
appropriately and are
published results? How are published results? How are to the literature (i.e. do
lacking some references
they different/the same they different/the same from findings fit with other
to the literature (i.e. do
from others’ findings? others’ findings? Potential published results? How
findings fit with other
Potential sources of sources of error?). Impacts & are they different/the
published results? How
error?). Impacts & implications of findings are same from others’
are they different/the
implications of findings are clear.
same from others’ findings? Potential
clear. sources of error?).
findings? Potential
References present. Impacts & implications of
sources of error?).
References present. findings are not clear.
Impacts & implications of
findings are not clear.
References missing/not
References present. present.

IMM340H1 (Fundamental Immunology): Infographic Assignment – Summer 2022

 Description Achievement Level
Excellent Good Average Low
(100%) (85%) (70%) (40%)
Focus & Reader Engagement (10%) Product is highly focused Possesses a quality that Lacks the ability to keep Lacks ability to hold
with interesting elements in keeps the reader reading— the reader reading; reader interest; fails to
All content (visual and textual) should complement the the writing and design, has focus, interest, design design and focus are present the content in an
purpose of the infographic. which perpetuate reader to elements that move the uninteresting and/or interesting or captivating
continue. Impresses the reader forward. Infographic confusing. Reader is way. Reader does not
reader from beginning to has a clarity that leaves few disengaged. Infographic wish to continue reading.
end through use of surface questions in the leaves several surface Infographic is unclear
interesting title, graphics, reader's mind. Impresses the questions in the reader's because of significant
wording, etc. reader most of the way mind. Offers little through and unintentional gaps or
through use of interesting way of title, graphics, contradictions in logic,
title, graphics, wording, etc. wording, etc. to impresses point of view,
the reader. Reader may etc. Overall, lacks
lose interest. interest for the reader
through ineffective use of
title, graphics, wording,
etc.
Organization/Use of Visuals (10%) Information is well Information is well organized Information is mostly Information is not very
Information is systematically organized with effective use of organized in a thoughtful and main messaging is clear organized, although there well organized –
visuals to support readers’ comprehension of the main way and main messaging for the reader. are points that are unclear messaging is unclear for
message. is crystal clear for the Visuals supplement reader for the reader. reader.
Fonts, colours, layouts and visual elements meaningfully reader. understanding of the main Visuals align with reader Visuals have minimal
contribute to the infographics’ ability to convey the overall Visuals enhance reader point. understanding of the main impact on the ability of
message. understanding of the main point. the reader to understand
point. the main point.
Use of Sources and Accuracy of Information & Citation An appropriate number of An appropriate number of An appropriate number of Not enough academic
(20%) academic sources are academic sources are academic sources are sources are consulted,
An appropriate number of sources have been consulted and included and are smoothly included, and are connected included, although not all and sources are not in
referenced. incorporated to clearly to major ideas. Scientific are connected to major line with major ideas
Accuracy of presented information is expected. Full support major ideas. content is thorough and ideas. Scientific details presented. Scientific
bibliographic citations are included for all sources referenced. Scientifically accurate and explains the topic well. are minimal and/or information is incorrect,
topic is covered in detail. inaccurate and topic is minimal, and extremely
only covered broadly. broad.

Format, Grammar, and Spelling (10%) The infographic and all The infographic and all Some errors or Infographic is not
The work should be edited and include citations. Well- sources correctly and sources are mostly correctly inconsistencies in formatted properly. Most
formatted references, text and images. consistently formatted No and consistently formatted. formatting of infographic sources are not
grammatical, spelling or Almost no grammatical, or sources. A few accurately documented
punctuation errors. Images spelling or punctuation grammatical, spelling or or inconsistently
are clear and well- errors. Images are clear and punctuation errors. formatted.
formatted. well-formatted. Images are unclear or not Many grammatical,
well-formatted. spelling or punctuation
errors. Images are both
unclear and not well-
formatted.

IMM340H1 (Fundamental Immunology): Infographic Assignment – Summer 2022