RESEARCH ROUGH DRAFT

a 5000-6000-word research paper will be the major assignment for this class. The paper can be on any topic of your choosing so long as it connects to class materials and takes a critical media studies approach. The project is divided up into several stages in order to help ensure that the final product is well-developed and something you might potentially consider presenting at a conference, attempt to publish, or propose as a strategic intervention. I fully believe that one of the few tangible skills that I can help you develop is how to construct a theoretically informed argument (I cannot make you smarter, but I can help you productively direct the smarts you already possess). A first draft of your essay is due on November 19 by 11;59 PM. Detailed instructions will be provided for all phases of the research paper. For each delivery you will receive feedback from me by the following class date. Critical thinking and argumentation are processes that develop over time and often through collaboration and revision. The end result will hopefully be something you are very proud of and can use constructively in your graduate careers and beyond.

Research Question: How is LeBron James leveraging social capital through his political influence and popularity on Twitter?

What the professor is looking for in this paper: Do you have an argument Are you using evidence to support your claims Are you using having smart conversation with material

***Analyzing LeBron James’ tweets from May 25, 2020 to July 18, 2020***

Some Topics to cover during the paper: How is Analyzing lebron james’ tweets (social capital reputation) political and a part of his brand? What are some other things that contextualize his twitter strategy for the brand during the time period? What aspects made lebron relatable on twitter between May 25, 2020 to July 18, 2020?