ENGL 1213 Hampton, Fall 2014 Assignment: Unit 1 – Evaluation Essay Length: (approx. 750-1000 words) First Full Draft: due to the D2L dropbox on Wednesday, September 17th Revised Draft: due to the D2L dropbox by 5pm on Monday, September 22nd Overview: In this technological age, the internet is filled with people evaluating popular culture. Such evaluations are often rather informal. However, there are also many scholars who specialize in providing more formal analyses of pop culture “texts.” For example, OU has a program called Film and Media Studies, and the English department even offers an undergraduate course focusing on graphic novels (i.e., comics) as well as courses on film and television. For this essay, you will join this ongoing conversation by evaluating the pop culture “text” of your choice. Please note that the word “text,” as used here, comes from Literary Theory. In Literary Studies (and some other disciplines), a “text” often refers to any object that can be “read” (i.e., analyzed); it includes, but is not limited to, written material. Thus, the “text” you are being asked to evaluate for this paper could be anything from a film or a television show or an advertisement to a novel or comic and even includes things like street signs and clothing. Purpose: Your purpose in this essay is to write an evaluation argument focusing on a pop culture “text” of your choice. In describing this type of argument, Ramage, Bean, and Johnson write that in a “categorical evaluation the writer determines the extent to which a given something possesses the qualities or standards of its class” (Writing Arguments 286). Thus, for this paper, you will use the criteria-match structure explained in the textbook in order to argue that the pop culture “text” you have chosen either is or is not a good example of a certain category (287-291). You might argue, for example, that a recent film contributes a valuable portrayal of gender because it provides a strong, well-rounded heroine and a sensitive but masculine hero. In this example, the evaluation category is a “portrayal of gender” and the criteria are (1) it provides a strong, well-rounded heroine and (2) it provides a sensitive but masculine hero. For the essay, you are allowed to focus on the issue/evaluation category of your choice. There are a variety of categories that you could consider. If you need help deciding, please let me know. Below is a list of topic suggestions: • • • Does this “text” provide a good representation of gender? For example, you might argue that the “text” is (or is not) a good representation of masculinity and/or femininity. Note that the example above focuses on both. Does this “text” provide a good representation of race? For example: the “text” is (or is not) a good representation of Native Americans or of African Americans, etc. Does this “text” provide a good representation of nationality? For example: the “text” is (or is not) a good representation of Chinese culture or of Mexican culture, etc. If none of these issues interests you, you are free to choose another relevant category of your choice. For example, you might consider whether or not a film is a good chick flick or good science fiction or a good family-friendly film. If you do choose an issue/evaluation category other than those listed here, I recommend that you talk to me about it (either in person or via email). ENGL 1213 Hampton, Fall 2014 Requirements: • 3-4 pages (approx. 750-1000 words) • An enthymeme: for this paper your claim will be something like “This ‘text’ is (or is not) a good ____________ ,” and your reasons will involve the criteria you have developed. • Criteria: 2-3 criterion for the evaluation category you’ve selected. • Grounds (evidence) from the “text” that shows how it matches the criteria (e.g., images, dialogue, or a description of the plot). 1 You are not required to incorporate additional sources, but may do so if you want to or feel you need to. o Please note that, if you have chosen a visual genre, I encourage you to incorporate an image or two as evidence (though you are not required to do so). However, if you do incorporate an image, be sure to provide a few sentences discussing and analyzing that image. Doing so provides justification for your use of the image. Also, please note that the images themselves will not count towards the length requirement (which is why both a page count and word count are provided). • You are not required to address warrants (underlying assumptions) for this essay. Audience: You should imagine an audience of reasonable people who are interested in the issue(s) you are discussing but might be slightly skeptical of your argument. This audience is familiar with the visual argument terminology that we have discussed in class (meaning that you will not need to define these terms). However, they are unfamiliar with the pop culture “text” you’ve chosen (meaning that you may need to provide some brief summary or description of that “text”). Please see pages 298-299 of Writing Arguments for a list of questions that can help you address this audience. Format/Citations: The essay should follow the conventions of Edited American English and MLA-style formatting. Additionally, you should note any formatting guidelines listed on the syllabus or discussed in class. All information from your pop culture “text” (e.g. quotes, paraphrasing, images) should be cited according to MLA citation style. See Writing Arguments Ch. 17 (383- 397) for detailed information on citing sources according to MLA-style. You should include both in-text citations and a Works Cited page. 1 Please note that if you pick something like a TV show (which, assuming that it aired for multiple episodes/seasons, has a much longer runtime than your typical film or advertisement), I recommend you draw most of your evidence from one or two episodes.
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