Final Essay Checklist

Your paper should be 6-8 pages long, double-spaced (2000-2500 words). It must provide an analysis of a cultural artifact (or several artifacts), using one or more of the rhetorical perspectives discussed in our course. The paper is worth 30% of your final grade, and is due on April 2nd, 2012. Your paper must be on the same topic as presented in your proposal - if you have changed your topic since, be sure that it has been approved by me (as far as I know, that is the case for everyone's papers in this class so far).

The contents of your paper should include:

• An introduction, which states your primary research questions, artifact(s) and methods. It should provide a brief outline of your paper and its main arguments.
• A description of the artifact(s) you will be using. You do not need to go in-depth when introducing your artifact, but provide some basic information on both its contents and its context. Explain what it is, when it was made, who it was made by, what it was made for, etc. Make an argument for why your artifact is valuable/interesting/worthwhile for analysis - and try to do so by connecting it to broader social issues and academic concerns.
• A brief description of the rhetorical perspective(s) and methods you will be using for your analysis. Be sure to note why you chose those methods, and explain what you expect to find in your artifact using these methods.
• ANALYSIS: the bulk of your paper should be an application of your methods to your artifact. Point out key features and explain the rhetorical structure of your artifact.
• Explain the overt and underlying messages behind your artifact. What is it really saying?
• Consider whether your artifact is an effective piece of rhetoric (i.e. effective at conveying its message, spurring people to action, changing opinions, or even simply entertaining and engaging its audience). Explain why/why not.
• You should discuss the wider implications of your artifact. Consider what it says about our world in general. What does it suggest is right/wrong about our world? What would our world be like if we adopt the beliefs and views promoted by the artifact? Why does your artifact's message matter?
• Conclusion: your paper should include a conclusion that summarizes what you have found and restates your main findings and claims.

Paper format guidelines (adapted from http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/)

• You do not need to make a title page for your paper.
• In the upper left-hand corner of the first page, list your name, your instructor's name, the course, and the date. Again, be sure to use double-spaced text.
• Double space again and center the title. Do not underline, italicize, or place your title in quotation marks; write the title in Title Case (standard capitalization), not in all capital letters.
• Use quotation marks and/or italics when referring to other works in your title, just as you would in your text: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas as Morality Play; Human Weariness in "After Apple Picking"
• Double space between the title and the first line of the text.
• Create a header in the upper right-hand corner that includes your last name, followed by a space with a page number; number all pages consecutively with Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, 4, etc.), one-half inch from the top and flush with the right margin.

• Type your paper on a computer and print it out on standard, white 8.5 x 11-inch paper.
• Double-space the text of your paper, and use a legible font. Recommended fonts are Times New Roman, Arial, Calibri. The font size should be 12 pt.
• Leave only one space after periods or other punctuation marks.
• Set the margins of your document to 1 inch on all sides.
• Indent the first line of paragraphs one half-inch from the left margin. MLA recommends that you use the Tab key as opposed to pushing the Space Bar five times.
• Use italics throughout your essay for the titles of longer works and, only when absolutely necessary, providing emphasis.
• If you have any endnotes, include them on a separate page before your References page. Entitle the section Notes (centered, unformatted).
• Your paper should be organized into clear paragraphs and sections. You may (but don't have to) create headings for different sections in your paper (e.g. Introduction, Methodology, Artifact(s), Analysis, Conclusion). If you do use section headings, please number them and follow the correct format as indicated here: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/
• You must format quotations and references to outside texts (including your textbook and artifacts) correctly. See guidelines for quotation formating here: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/03/
• Your paper MUST include a Works Cited or References page. See MLA format guidelines on formatting your references list here: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/05/
• You must, at minimum, cite your course textbook and artifacts that you are analyzing. If you are unsure how to cite uncommon, non-print sources (e.g. films, music, video games) - check guidelines provided here: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/09/

Evaluation criteria

• The paper is worth 30% of your final grade, divided between the following three broad categories
• Expression/Format (10%): Your paper should be written clearly, cohesively, without grammatical or vocabulary errors as far as possible. Clarity and conciseness are crucial to a successful paper. Your ability to articulate your thoughts and your analysis clearly is what chiefly determines your grade in regard to expression. Your paper must be clearly and logically organized. In terms of format, you must follow guidelines that have been given above (and throughout the course) for formatting and organizing your paper. Grammatical errors, poor organization, lack of clarity, incomplete structure or format errors will result in penalties.
• Theory/Analysis (10%): In this course, you have to demonstrate your knowledge of rhetorical theory, and your ability to use it to analyze actual examples and artifacts of rhetoric. Your ability to formulate ideas in terms of the theories we have studied so far is crucial. The accuracy, coherence and completeness of your analysis (depending on the perspective you choose for your paper) is key to this part of the evaluation. Inaccurate, overly-selective or incomplete application of the rhetorical frameworks you choose will result in penalties.
• Originality/Critique (10%): Your ability to demonstrate critical thinking is just as important as knowledge of theory for this class. As you choose your own artifacts and approaches, your ability to combine them effectively and creatively will be evaluated. You must maintain an analytical, academic tone and a balanced, serious perspective on your artifacts. However I am also looking for your ability to make accurate critical observations, connect your artifacts to wider social issues, and engage with your artifacts. Creative and critical thought will be rewarded. Lack of thought given to implications, underlying messages and rhetorical effectiveness of your artifacts will be penalized.

Good luck!

Remember that I am available by email for advice over the course of this weekend.