Topic: SHORT PAPER ASSIGNMENT

Preferred language style: English (U.S.)

SHORT PAPER ASSIGNMENT: 4-5 pages in 12 pt. Times New Roman with 1? margins, not including footnotes and bibliography.

For this assignment you will write a close formal analysis of one example of ?spectacle? and the way it stages, promotes, or relates to, a particular idea or representation of ?society?. You will engage with least one scholarly source taken from class or outside research to help make your case.
You can choose any example of spectacle that interests you (including, but not limited to, political demonstrations and addresses; novelty acts; TV shows, movies and films that emphasize visual display, shock, abnormality, normality, or novelty; or any of the genres cited on the syllabus), as long as your argument demonstrates the reason for which you deem it an example of spectacle (which should include the process of describing how it looks), and provides a detailed explanation of how the way it looks helps to promote, present, or critique a particular image of ?society? at the level of form (including technological form if applicable).
The goal of this assignment is to help you further develop your understanding of the relation between society and spectacle; your skills of visual analysis; your ability to explain the relationship between visual and written texts; and your basic essay-writing skills. Thus, papers should introduce a clear thesis statement and draw on textual examples and evidence to support the argument they undertake. Make sure to describe to your reader what is significant about the images discussed, and point out the specific stylistic details that distinguish its relation to ?society?. Also make sure to edit and proofread your essay for errors. Take time to organize the progression of your thoughts in order to make the clearest, most well developed argument you can.
SOME TIPS
-Proofread, proofread, proofread.
-Never make a claim without evidence to support it from examples or references. Treat your argument like a court case that must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt; rather than ignoring potential counter-arguments, try to anticipate and disprove them in advance. Instead of ignoring contradictions, treat them as an opportunity to add nuance to your claim and deepen your argument.
-Cite all your sources in proper MLA or Chicago Style (see online sources or style manual).
-Plan your writing time well in advance in case you need to edit the first draft or make an appointment in the Academic Skills Centre.
-Use the new DVS web resource on writing (see syllabus) or come to my office hours if you need