Writing Guide
Part I: Selecting/Analyzing a Representation of Disaster
- Briefly describe media representation of a disaster you have chosen to analyze. Explain what it is, where it is from, and, if it is long or complex, what specific segment of it you will use.
- What specific causes or consequences of disaster does it show, and how?
- What kinds of causes or consequences of disaster that we have discussed in class might be related to this disaster, but are not shown in the media representation?
Part II: Forming Your Argument
- What concepts from class (including the genocide unit) most relate to the causes and consequences shown/hidden in your media representation?
- Which concept would be the most useful for making an argument about how your media representation highlights or hides a specific cause or consequence of disaster? Why?
- In one sentence, state your paper’s argument.
Part 3: Forming Your Analysis
- List a specific example from your media representation that you will analyze to support your main argument (note that you will use more than one example in your final paper).
- Explain how the example demonstrates your argument to be true.
NOTES:
- Ask yourself: is this representation appropriate for the assignment? If not, repeat the process with another one.
- Ask yourself: will this analysis show how specific elements of the representation support my argument? If not, revise.
- Ask yourself: can this argument be more focused and specific? If so, revise.
Feel free to meet with your TA during office hours to discuss your paper – have a completed version of this worksheet with you for the meeting.
