Short Paper Theories of Communication

Overview: 
Select a brief, current, and specific media text or example of communication. This can be written, visual, audio, televisual, digital or interpersonal communication. Describe the text, and then analyze your example using two different theories or analytical models drawn from two different authors we have read in our class. Your paper can be single or double spaced. 
 
Required Elements: 
All papers should have an introductory paragraph which describes the media text, two separate paragraphs that use course materials to analyze the example, and a works cited section. All in-text citations as well as the works cited section should be in MLA format. 
 
Paragraph 1 (Introduce your media text): Describe the object/example that you have chosen. This is not a place for sharing opinions, just be objective/descriptive. Provide documentation or a link, if relevant. Your focus should not be on ho wyou feel about it, but instead you will explain what it is, and if needed, give some context. Be smart about this section: highlight in your description the things that you will talk about later in your paper. If you have chosen something longer or more complex (say, a feature-length film), be clear about what specific part you are focusing on. If you have chosen something small and discrete that is part of a larger group (for example, you are discussing one instagram post from an account, or one ad that is part of a larger campaign) then you can briefly characterize the bigger picture. 
 
Paragraph 2 (Reading 1): Use a main idea from one reading from class. Demonstrate that you understand the theoretical concept, and use it to analyze your examplecan you say something new or interesting about it? How can this theoretical framework help to explain the example, or how does your example illustrate and extend the theory? 
 
Paragraph 3 (Reading 2): Using a different theory reading, do the same thing a second time, and undertake a different analysis. 
 
Works cited: For this short paper, you should start to familiarize yourself with MLA style. 
https:// owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_style_introduction.html 
Make sure you include a works cited section at the end, which should include at least three entries: the two course readings, and your media text. Also include any other supporting material you mention or draw upon. 
 
Optional Elements: 
Title: I recommend waiting until after you write the paper to give it a title. 
Conclusion: complete the body of the paper before writing a conclusion. This should actually conclude something, and not simply restate what is already written. It is not required in this first paper. 
 
DO NOT include lengthy quotes from the authors. Paraphrase their ideas. Restate it in your own words. 
 
The following phrases are FORBIDDEN in this paper except under very special circumstances: 
relates to or correlates with/to– this is too weak. Explain the relation, dont just state that one exists. Also avoid speaks/talks about/on–unless you are quoting actual speech 
mentionsagain, too vague, unless you are actually describing the behavior of a person who merely mentions something in passing. If it is a key idea in a theoretical reading, surely the author gives it more than just a mention. 
I believeunless you are discussing a belief system. Otherwise, we know you are the writer of the paper, so it is not necessary to tell us that these are your ideas (similarly I 
think I argue etc. Your name is at the top of the paper, and unless you have attributed an idea to someone else, we know it is yours.) 
Do not begin a paragraph with the example I have chosen or similar. Just go ahead and describe/paraphrase/present the idea. 
 
USE THE SEARCH FUNCTION WHEN YOU EDIT YOUR PAPER TO LOOK FOR THESE WORDS: relate, speak, talk, believe, mention, correlate, think. If you find them in your own paper, scrutinize them carefully. Should they be there? 
 
Notes on writing process:
Be sure to reread the relevant theoretical work when you sit down to write this assignment. Include authors names and book/article titles in your paper. Include page numbers if you are making reference to particular passages.
 
After you have written your paper, go back and read your first paragraph. Did you give enough information? Did you give too much? Is your description all relevant and necessary? Adjust the first paragraph so that you are giving just as much information as necessary to set up the analyses. 
 
Your paper should be written in formal, academic style it should be short, organized, and get right to the point. Spell check your work. Read it aloud to make sure that it makes sense. 
 
Make sure to use standard grammar, punctuation, and capitalization. For quotation, underlining and in-text citation, see MLA style.