This is a critical analysis on two articles on a given religion Jonestown, Mormonism, Scientology, Atheism (or other NRMS) (WRITERS CHOICE)
Analysis #3 (due Friday, April 20th): Jonestown, Mormonism, Scientology, Atheism (or other NRMS).
INSTRUCTIONS:
· Papers are to be 3-5 double-spaced typed pages with 1-inch margins and 12 point Times New Roman font; no cover pages.
· Each analysis paper counts for 25% of your final grade.
· At the top of each paper please include your name and where I can access the two sources you will be using. (NB—if I can’t access them, this will count against your grade)
· I suggest that your two articles be on the same event/issue but come from different perspectives/ideologies. This will help you see how the authors present material differently and hopefully give you a clearer idea of why this is important.
· You may use any two sources you like—e.g. editorials, news articles, blogs, video clips, etc.—with the only limitation that you deal with the religions we have dealt with in class (and that are part of the assignment). You have the whole Internet at your disposal.
· As we have discussed, and as I have demonstrated, in class, for each source, I want you ask questions such as (but not limited to): What type of source and writing (editorial, news piece, blog post)? What choices have been made in terms of images, word choice, title, quotes (who gets long quotes and who gets short or negative quotes, who only gets paraphrased)? How is it organized? (E.g. is contrary evidence to the main point buried towards the end?) What overall images and impressions does it construct for the reader about a given religion? Is there an argument implicit (or explicit)? Who do you imagine is the intended audience?
AS YOU (PREPARE TO) WRITE:
· Aim for clarity and concision. 3-5 pages is not much space, and please don’t waste it by giving me a detailed summary of your articles. I only want you to summarize enough to help me follow your analysis.
· Please provide a clear thesis (or main point) and then structure the remainder of your paper around it, giving evidence for that thesis. Feel free to use footnotes, and whatever style guide you like—just be consistent.
· In order to complete this assignment successfully, there is no one way to structure your analysis paper. However, for each paper make sure you analyze each source individually before comparing them.
· Please take a few moments to PROOFREAD your paper before submitting it. While I am not strict on grammar and syntax, typos and poor grammatical constructions can significantly detract from the clarity of your argument. And if I can't figure out what you are trying to say, I can't give you credit for it.
LATE PAPERS: For each day a paper is late, it will be penalized half a letter grade.
GRADING RUBRIC: An “A” paper will include some version of the following points.
Analyzing the sources
· Emphasizes close reading of various representations in sources
· Highlights constructed categories in each source
· Specifies who makes the representations
· Notes interests of those making these representations
Comparing the sources
· Good selection of articles
· Analysis provides comparison/contrast
· Comparison balanced
The written paper
· Well-organized
· Clear information
· Effective use of space