FINAL PAPER TOPIC

FINAL PAPER:   For your final paper, you must select a topic of your choice within the broader theme of the course: transformations of the human body on an individual and societal scale.  You can concentrate on one of the ways we have discussed in class so far, or explore other topics that we haven’t explored in class.  You are more than welcome to engage with any ways to transform the body you might find interesting.    Using original research (online databases, working in the library, engaging with products of mass culture, film, literature, television, etc), you will need to develop a clear, arguable thesis, which you will back up with carefully constructed arguments (informed by the evidence of your research) in a 7-10 page essay.You must use 12 point font, reasonable margins, and conform to MLA standards for quoting, citation, and bibliography.   


DUE MAY 13TH


OPTIONS FOR STRUCTURING A FINAL PAPER:

A critical essay analyzes the strengths, weaknesses and methods of someone else's work. Generally these essays begin with a brief overview of the main points of the text, movie, or piece of art, followed by an analysis of the work's meaning. It should then discuss how well the author/creator accomplishes his/her goals and makes his/her points. A critical essay can be written about another essay, story, book, poem, movie, or work of art.

The cause/effect essay explains why or how some event happened, and what resulted from the event. This essay is a study of the relationship between two or more events or experiences. The essay could discuss bothcauses and effects, or it could simply address one or the other. A cause essay usually discusses the reasons why something happened. An effect essay discusses what happens after a specific event or circumstance.

An argumentative essay is one that attempts to persuade the reader to the writer's point of view. The writer always tries to convince the reader of the validity of his or her opinion

A definition essay attempts to define a specific term or issue. It could try to pin down the meaning of a specific word, or define an abstract concept. The analysis goes deeper than a simple dictionary definition; it should attempt to explain why the term is defined and discussed the way it is.