***Make SURE you have a thesis statement!
• Short paragraphs and simpler language are better
• If you include a quotation, make sure you explain what it means and why it is important
• Avoid personal pronouns (I, we, you, us) – you are aiming for an essay that sounds objective, even though you are arguing your viewpoint
**genre analysis of a bunch of different conspiracy theories and examine the common elements.
Genre Analysis Extended Essay (max. 14 pages)
In class, we discussed the formal and content-related characteristics that make different genres of writing, film, music, etc. instantly recognizable. In this essay, you will choose a genre and probe deeper to analyze the characteristics of the genre. The focus of the essay will depend on the genre you choose – you might analyze specific recurring themes and discuss the techniques used to capture the themes or idea, connect the values of the genre with its audience, notice or contrast changes within the genre, or take another approach entirely.
This topic is very open because your choice of thesis statement depends on the genre and the medium you choose. Topics that worked well for previous students included “Morality and values in country music lyrics,” “How the coverage of the issue of captive whales in aquariums changes before and after the documentary Blackfish,” and “Techniques used by female bloggers to connect with the audience through a sense of community.” Because this topic is so open, it will be quite challenging for you to develop your ideas, and you will probably have to work with me quite extensively to create your paper.
Note: This is a very general topic, and it is your job to decide on what specific aspects of the articles you want to focus on. You will develop your own viewpoint/angle/thesis statement for this essay, and this will determine your approach to your body paragraphs. Feel free to check with me to make sure that you are on the right track.
