4 page essay

ENGL 101

Essay 2

“TV has a visceral power that print does not. Words abstractly describe things; television shows concrete images. Dramatic television images of drowning polar bears, for example, have recently helped awaken people to the effects of global warming and climate change. Images, in short, have the potential to awaken the apathetic as written texts cannot” (SOL)

Considering this, for this essay, you will be writing on a television show of your choosing. It can be a comedy, drama, reality show, etc... pick something you are interested in and that you think will provide enough material to write about. The goal here is to analyze a television show--looking at visual images of different scenes and shows--and to determine what message is being sent and what underlying cultural implications the show presents.

Some Tips:

The interpretation of a television episode is much like interpreting a short story. You should consider every potentially significant detail in the episode and subject it to a close reading. Your first step when preparing to analyze a show of your choice is to suspend your aesthetic opinion-that is whether you like a show or not. What you are working toward is a critical analysis--what you think a program’s underlying cultural significance may be. Also consider, what could the popularity of such a show signify?

Some Ideas to Consider:

1. [Gender] Look at the characters in the shows that you watch closely, specifically focusing on the gender of the characters. What do they say? What do they do? How does gender define their roles in the show? What jobs do they hold? Consider all the major characters of the program, looking particularly at any stereotypes and any roles that align or break with more traditional gender roles. Write a paper in which you argue that the show perpetuates certain gender stereotypes, or argue that they are exposing them in a certain way to make a call for change.

2. [Racial Stereotypes] Consider the characters in the programs that you've watched and write an essay in which you argue whether or not these characters perpetuate a certain stereotype, or defy a stereotype.

3. [The American Family]Choose a television show that depicts the American family in a new way. For example, Modern Family showcases three different families that challenge a traditional definition of what a family should look like. For this option, your argument will focus on why or why not this representation of family is realistic.

4. [The Anti-hero] The anti-hero is becoming more and more popular with shows such as Breaking Bad and Dexter. Why is this new type of hero so popular? For this essay, you will create on argument on why you think people are drawn to the anti-hero. Are such heroes more realistic and relatable? If so, what does that say about us as a culture?

5. [Reality TV] Today, reality television comprises a large portion of shows being watched. Consider some of the reality shows you watch and make an argument on whether or not there is any value in shows like these. Is reality television making us dumber? Or is there something to be gained from watching such shows?

6. [Your own Idea] You may develop your own idea for an argument, but your topic must be approved by me.

Grading Criteria:

· Length Requirement: 4 pages

· Flawless MLA format

· ABSOLUTELY No proofreading errors. Papers that have obviously not been proofread will receive a significant grade reduction

· A creative title that catches the reader’s attention

· Strong Introduction that engages the reader and provides sufficient background information on your chosen topic

· A strong arguable thesis

· Powerful paragraphs including structure and organization

· Strong description and examples

· Strong analysis that takes your reader beyond just a summary of the show

· A minimum of 4 sources. No more than 2 pop sources, and at least 2 scholarly sources.

· Your research should show a range. In other words, do not get all your sources from the same journal.

· A minimum of 4 quotes used in the paper. No more than 1 block quote.

· Quote integration will be looked at. Are you sandwiching quotes? Are you discussing them? You should be! Or are you merely re-summarizing a quote? You shouldn’t be!

· Proper source attribution and parenthetical citations.

· A work cited page.