Guidelines for the Final Essay
You choose your own topic for the final paper. You’re analyzing a media artifact (or phenomenon) using one of the theories we’ve learned in this class. A few examples: analyzing cultural narratives in the song “Old Town Road” or how the news media framed the 2020 presidential election.
Use one of the following theories: Uses & Gratifications, Direct Effects, Narratives (please specify which narrative), Cultural Narrative, Archetypes, Framing, Branding, Representation, The Medium is the Message, Visual Language, Amplification, Cultivation Theory. You can choose to use a different theory for your analysis but please confirm with me first if you do. Make sure you’re confident you understand the basic definition of the theory you choose. I can’t stress this enough — your grade depends on it.
Characteristics of the final paper:
6 pages, double-spaced
A works cited page with at least six sources.
Use MLA format and make sure you keep it consistent. I will deduct points for style, grammar and spelling.
