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Analytical Debate Paper – Due 10/11

For this analytical paper, you will imagine and write a conversation among three different people (who hold three different theoretical perspectives) about a pop culture text of your choice. The critics we’ve read will inform this conversation. You’ll adopt the position of a critic, enacting the characteristics of critical studies, as Brummett describes. Refer to page numbers from course texts as you write your debate.

While you may choose to analyze works that we have discussed in class. You also could choose any “text” that interests you.

Your paper will open with a moderator who will give background about the text to be discussed as well as introduce the three (imaginary—of your own creation) people who will participate in the debate. The rest of the paper will unfold like a play script/transcript, with the three debaters engaging in a conversation about the topic (asking questions of each other, refuting each other’s claims). Make up these people and their personas; do not use known/real people.

You may compose this conversation in a creative, informal, and even humorous style; however, you must ensure that each of the debaters offers substantive evidence based on our course materials and other relevant analytical sources to support their point of view. In other words, your characters must support their claims by citing specific evidence from the text itself (quotations, descriptions of visual / interactive features) as well as evidence from secondary sources (which should be cited parenthetically and in a works cited page in MLA format).

Choosing Perspectives:

Each of the three “characters” in your dialogue will offer a unique theoretical perspective about the text under consideration. Choose your THREE theoretical perspectives from those covered in Brummett’s ch. 4 and 5.

Beta Draft (10 points). Due 10/4 for peer response (upload to website; bring computer):

Your beta draft should be at least 1,250 words long and the script should include all three perspectives; it is okay if it is still rough, but it should be substantive enough that you can get meaningful feedback.

Final Draft (90 points): Due 10/11 at start of class. Link to beta draft, turn in on website. Do not delete your rough draft!

Your final draft should be between 1,750 and 3,000 words.  Successful papers will:

• Demonstrate a strong understanding of all three chosen perspectives, accurately employing theoretical concepts from course readings, lectures, and discussions.
• Move beyond the common wisdom to offer a novel or unexpected analysis of the chosen text.
• Be engaging to read (with a strong sense of conversational voice).
• Closely analyze specific elements of the text (offering analytical claims about particular words, images, or interactive features).
• Address the text as a piece of rhetoric, a potentially persuasive text.

Assessment Rubric: Analytical Dialogue Paper

_____/10   Draft from peer response

_____/20 Organization and document design

Does it have the following elements?

• MLA style formatting (heading, page numbers, citation if secondary sources are used, etc.). One exception: single-spaced papers are ok.
• Document is designed to suit conversation format so reader can clearly understand moderator and three imaginary perspectives separately.
• Conversation moves logically from beginning to end, staying focused on “text” under consideration.
• Logical, discernible organizing principle, with transitions between perspectives.

_____/50 Content

• Project shows author’s ability to confidently articulate analytical frameworks and apply theory from course materials.
• Writing moves beyond the common wisdom to offer a novel or unexpected analysis of the chosen text.
• Good examples, descriptions, and evidence from the “text” under consideration. Closely analyzes specific elements of the text (offering analytical claims about particular words, images, or interactive features).
• Effective use of debate format.  Moderator introduces conversation and provides context. Perspectives are clearly articulated, engage one another, and represent cohesive identities.
• Address the text as a piece of rhetoric, a potentially persuasive text.

_____/20 Editing

• Attention to sentence structure and word choice.
• Attention to correctness in spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Approximate length: 1,750 and 3,000 words.