Requirements:
The finished essay should be 4-5 pages, double space, in 12 point Times New Roman font with 1” margins. Essays that fail to meet length requirements will be subject to a substantial penalty. This essay should be in 3rd person only.
Assignment:
all texts use specific and definable techniques to achieve a desired effect and almost anything can be read as a text. Additionally, media often tries to make us think critically about social issues to persuade us to view the issue in a particular light, to forward a course of action, or to express a particular view.
The assignment is to choose a visual item such as a commercial, advertisement, music video, television show, or movie and provide a visual analysis of that item. This could be an issue with the way a commercial is presented, the underlying (or obvious) theme of a television show or movie, the meaning behind a song, or even an analysis of a painting. As long as the subject matter does not touch on any of the restricted topics, you are free to choose whatever argument you would like. Keep in mind, there may not be enough research done on the subject matter. Take the time to do a little base research to make sure you will be able to make the requirements for this assignment. You may end up needing to choose a different topic. It may be more beneficial for you to work with something that has some academic literature already published about it. This may aid you in creating an argument of your own.
You must demonstrate an authoritative understanding of the visual and the argument being discussed. You must use at least four sources, not including the work itself (which must be cited in the essay).
So, you will need a total of five citations on the works cited page. Also, do not spend too much time on unnecessary summary or sidebar arguments you will not be directly addressing. You are writing for an academic audience that is somewhat familiar with modern media and culture, and your focus should be a critical discussion of your specific work.
Restricted Topics!! : abortion, changing the drinking age/buying tobacco age, right to die cases, same-sex marriage, capital punishment, gun control, immigration reform, religion, the legalization of marijuana, violence in media and/or video games, athlete salary (professional and college), political alignment, vaccinations, police brutality, or mask mandates.
