WOMEN IN COMEDY CLASS – Compare and Contrast the two comics – Ellen Degeneres and Mindy Kaling
From the assignment information:
With this same option, you might instead choose to compare an event such as a well-established comedy festival, or a well-established comedy club, or platform such as televised comedy specials, roasts, comedy albums, or a practice from an earlier era of women in the standup comedy world working in this chosen medium compared and contrasted with a present day parallel such as a comedy YouTube channel, a Tik Tok channel, a process, etc – something that is operating in this space today, that did not exist previously.
Examine how your chosen platform/process has evolved and/or transformed within the industry. Examine the similarities and differences to the present day example you are comparing and contrasting it with.
Things to consider with this option:
For the compare & contrast option, examine the similarities and differences with respect to the genres, format, style, techniques and overall themes. How does each reflect the dynamics of their respective era in society? How does each handle or possibly avoid the issues of race, gender, religion, politics, generational divides and/or other societal issues? How is each similar and different in their respective themes and approaches to comedy? Did/do the two versions you are comparing have an impact on a larger cultural scale – If so, how so? Does either attempt to contribute to the medium through use of new, experimental or innovative techniques? If so, how, and what?
Requirements:
– A 5-7 page essay which analyzes your chosen topic through the appropriate
lenses described above. You may cover the historical timeline briefly, but
focus the bulk of your analysis on the work you are analyzing, or the two
examples you will be comparing and contrasting.
-Your essay must be in correct MLA 8 format with a correctly formatted,
separate Works Cited Page. The Works Cited page does not count as one of
the 5-7 pages of your essay.
– Keep in mind: With comparison/contrast, the purpose is not just to
“list” similarities and differences, but rather to explain, persuade, and
thoughtfully analyze the components of each as they relate to their
respective era and to each other. Think of comparison and contrast as a
method of development not simply as the purpose for writing.
– You are required to use a minimum of three (3) credible research
sources. As always, Wikipedia and other crowd-sourced sites are not
allowed as research sources. J-Stor, Google Scholar are better avenues.
– Upload your essay to the Google Class site by beginning of class session #10
GRADING CRITERIA:
Clear, compelling thesis appropriately located at the end of your introduction and reflecting original thought
Cohesive and detailed analysis of the thesis throughout the essay
Paragraphs structured in an appropriate manner (do you skip all over or do you develop your views in an organized, coherent, effective way)
No irrelevant information (and no unnecessary repetition)
Compelling, creative work that reaches out in some way to its audience
Stylistic sophistication (correct grammar, how you use language, syntax, and punctuation for emphasis and refinement).
Consistent tone
Paper does not resemble a list but instead actively analyzes and synthesizes material
No unwarranted generalizations about “every human being” or “society”, “In this day and age…”
Paper actively incorporates three (3) credible outside sources, and the concepts discussed in the classroom as well as the course readings
Essay is presented in correct MLA 8 format with a correctly formatted Works Cited page that also follows MLA8. It is not part of the 5-7 page count for the essay. It needs to be a separate sheet.
Correct use of in-text citations following MLA 8 format.
