ASSIGNMENT: Analyze a single episode from one of the following comedies:
• Young Sheldon, “Potential Energy…” (Season 5, Episode 3) – cbs.com (10.21.21) – THURSDAY
• The Wonder Years, “The Club” (Season1, Episode 3) – abc.com (10.06.21)
• Schitt’s Creek, “Start Spreading the News” (Season 6, Episode 13) – poptv.com
• The Office, “Todd Packer” (Season 7, Episode 18) – Peacock.com
• It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, “Hero or Hate Crime?” (Season 12, Episode 06) – Hulu.com
• Modern Family, “Legacy” (Season 11, Episode 11) – Hulu.com
Note: I selected an episode of Young Sheldon so you can watch that live, record on a DVR, or stream it for two weeks. ABC requires authentication for the most recent episodes, so I picked one that is now available for stream on ABC.com. Schitt’s Creek can be streamed at poptv.com, but it requires authentication. The three of Peacock or Hulu, obviously, require a membership.
Write an analysis of the program exploring the narrative and visual structures utilized in the production of the program. Among the questions that you might consider:
• Is the program a series or serial and how does that impact on its narrative structure
• How does the show deal with the passage of time and about how much “story time” is covered in the 30 minute program
• What is the story and how is it told (i.e. discourse)
• What is the treatment of mood (i.e. lighting, music, set design, etc.)
• What camera framing and angles are used and do these impact on the storytelling
• Is it a single camera production or a multi-camera production
• How are camera movements used to influence the viewing experience
Write an essay, 4-5 typed, double-spaced pages in length, breaking down the program that you have chosen. Grades will be based on organization, integration of course material (i.e. readings, lectures, etc.), writing and the strength of your arguments.
A well-crafted analysis will . . .
• Take a position and analyze the chosen program, not just describe the content
• Begin building an argument in the opening paragraph with a strong thesis statement, which names your topic, asserts your ideas about this topic, and suggests the arrangement of your paper’s argument
• Integrate course readings and lectures into the analysis.
• Utilize and define important terms and concepts
Some Helpful Hints
• Since the thesis statement asserts your ideas about this topic, it is often easier to write this part last, once you have developed your argument over the body of your paper.
• Write a draft of your paper, put it aside for a day or so, and then look at it again with fresh eyes.
• Think global when revising your paper. In other words, do not worry about punctuation, spelling, etc. the first time through. Think about the content of your paper and structure/organization. Then focus on grammar, etc. in the final read.
