Spring 2001:: ENC 1101: Composition
Projects
Assignments for ENC 1101 Banned topics for papers: abortion, gun control, religion, euthanasia,
more to be added.
These topics are banned because they are so prevalent in the media that
it is extremely hard to write anything new or interesting or non-offensive
on these topics.
Unit 1: Narrative
This assignment revolves around the introduction of the use of narrative as a writing format. Drawing on one of the anecdotes you discussed in class, write an essay that does the following: Tells the story of the anecdote. Makes clear the lesson to be learned from the anecdote.
Details: This essay will be due at the beginning of class on February 2. It should be 1000-1250 words, typed, printed, stapled.
Unit 2: Analogy paper
As we have seen, metaphor and metonymy are strong tools for persuasive writing. Do some research in your intended field of study, choosing an important concept to the field (If you haven't decided for sure what you plan to study, just choose something that you're likely to pursue in the future). For example, someone interested in film studies might do some cursory reading on semiotics. Then, construct an essay that does the following: Creates a vivid analogy or metaphor that someone who is not versed in your field of study can understand. Uses that analogy to explain the basic concept you've researched. Cites at least three sources to back up your findings (Using at least two different media).
Details: This essay will be 1000-1250 words long and should explain both your analogy and your concept clearly. HINT: the smaller the concept, the more room you'll have to make your explanation. All citations should be done in MLA format. Your essay should be typed, printed, stapled, and turned in to me by the beginning of class on February 23.
Unit 3: Gender Construction
Compare the gender roles presented in Aphex Twin's Window Licker music video to the gender roles presented in either a movie, television show, video game, advertisement, or another music video. You must get my approval on your second source prior to the peer review. If you are not sure, you can get several sources approved and then select from them. Discuss the second source as though your reader has never seen it, but don't waste space and time descibing parts that do not contribute to your thesis. Discuss only relevant points with specific examples and then analyze them. Make sure to examine whether the depiction is a stereotype or not. Does the plot hinge on this stereotype, or was it put in simply for flavor? You can get verbatim quotes and plot summaries from many online sources. We will be watching the Window Licker video together in class and discussing it.
Details: This essay will be 1250-1500 words long. Four citations are required: one will be the Aphex Twin video, one will be from the contrasted source, one must be from a book or journal article written after 1995, and the other one is up to your discretion. All citations should be done in MLA format. Your essay should be typed, printed, stapled, and turned in to me by the beginning of class on March 26.
Unit 4: Online and Paper-Based Rhetoric
You will be building a website based on one of the local concerns presented by our guest speaker. You will use the website to evaluate the topic, take a position, and attempt to persuade through written and visual rhetoric. You may also include a short page on its personal relevance to you. This project will incorporate all the writing skills learned in the class. With this, a metapaper of approximately 300 words is due on what you have learned about the differences and similarities with web and paper rhetoric. The paper should also include insight into your experience with this assignment.
Details: Your website must include at least 4 hyperlinks and 2 graphics. The writing in the website must be 1300-1500 words. The metapaper is an additional 300 words. (The metapaper is just 300 words on your experience making the website: you can defend any choices you made, complain about the web project, reflect on what was good and what was bad, write why you liked it, anything about your experience with the website.) All citations should be done in MLA format. You must have at least four in-text citations. You must email the URLs and the metapaper to me no later than April 27, midnight EST.