Paper Topic/Analysis/Presentation

1. Present your original analysis of some form of popular culture (films, magazines, plays, advertisements, TV shows, graphic novels, etc. as listed on the syllabus). This is NOT a term paper, where you pick a topic and then tell us everything you know about “X.”
2. Specify particular pop culture sources (particular films, magazines, plays, etc.) that you have analyzed. Specify how many you will analyze.
3. Selection of particular pop culture sources should be logical (compare and contrast things that are comparable—for example don’t compare a Neil LaBute play to Hustler magazine)
4. Specify your rationale for selecting these particular pop culture sources (see #3).
5. Examine enough data (issues of magazines, TV episodes, etc.) to provide you with ample material for in-depth analysis.
6. Specify the market/audience for whom your pop culture form is intended.
7. Must focus on sex, love, and/or romance and NOT on gender or beauty standards.
8. Analysis should be of representations of and/or messages about sex, love, and/or romance in your pop culture sources. The analysis of the messages/representations contained in your pop culture sources should be central to your paper. Any speculations about how such messages impact the intended audience should follow logically from your analysis, but this should not be your focus.
9. Analysis should be firmly grounded in FS concepts as presented in lecture, discussion sections, and readings. Be explicit in linking your analysis to the themes and ideas that we have explored as a class. You should not rely on outside readings unless they are necessary for some aspect of your argument.
10. Provide an introduction that makes clear the relevance of your topic and argument.
11. Your introduction should conclude with a strong, clear, specific thesis that follows logically from your analysis and specifies your stance.
12. Body paragraphs should have strong topic paragraph sentences linked to your thesis, and should contain evidence from your popular culture sources and course readings that support your argument.
13. End with a conclusion that discusses the implications of your findings.

Mechanics:

1. Writing should be fine-tuned, demonstrating careful attention to proofreading.
2. Use proper and correct forms of grammar, punctuation, spelling and syntax.
3. Use proper citation (author name and page numbers for direct quotes, author name or “lecture” for citation of ideas).
4. Paragraphs should be appropriate length (3-9 sentences).
5. Create a clear and logical outline of ideas—writing should flow and makes sense when spoken aloud.