This paper asks you to take the method you described last unit and apply it to your artifact (you know, the movie, ad, etc. that you did your background paper on). This paper is the third step in developing your final piece of media criticism   Next unit we’ll add it to your background and method paper and you’ll have the rough draft of the final paper for the class.  

Still not sure what you’re doing?  Well, most of the method papers—semiotics paper, Marxist criticism paper, etc.  were essentially analyses of artifacts.  You’re doing the same thing here that you did in each one of those—except this time you’ve picked the method you’ll use instead of being told what to do.  Does that make sense?

Here is a sample of the organizational structure of a paper:

This paper should focus on method you will use in your analysis of the artifact/text/communication.  Use the textbook and at least three additional sources representing article done with the method you have chosen.

A.  Introduction

1. Create an introduction to this section/this paper that reiterates the artifact you will be examining and reference the method you will use.
   2.  Give a brief thesis—something along the lines of “a Marxist analysis of Harry Potter reveals that even in the wizarding world, social class is the primary driver of success at Hogwarts.” You may have to come back to this and tweak it later.  Often we don’t know what we really think, until we get to the end of the paper!
   3.  Preview your points to come in the body of the paper.  So, if you’re talking about false consciousness, alienation, and social class as the three major concepts you see in the artifact, tell us this in the introduction

   B.  Body
   1.  Tackle that first concept. Give us a super brief definition of the concept and then provide three examples to support that this concept is indeed in the artifact. This is critical.  You must provide examples of actions, quotes from characters, the reactions of characters, etc. to prove that the concept is demonstrated. You may want to discuss each example in a separate paragraph. Paragraphs that are a page long are intimidating for your reader.  
   2. Tackle the next concept you identified in your preview.  Again provide three examples where you see it in the artifact.
   3. Tackle the third concept you identified in your preview. Again provide three examples or quotes or other evidence to support your idea.
   4.  Now that you’ve gotten all the evidence in the paper, it’s time to think about what all this means. This is where you get back to your thesis and see if you need to tweak it.  You might think about who’s interests are being served by this artifact.  Look back at the chapter on the method and review it in case something stands out at you now, that didn’t before.

   C.  Conclusion
   1. Summarize your points in the conclusion
   2. Talk more about how we should see the artifact now that we’ve read your analysis.
   3.  Pull the paper together.  Often this means to return to the idea you put in the introduction to the background paper.