ASSIGNMENT: Analyze a single episode from one of the following comedies:
Young Sheldon, “Potential Energy…” (Season 5, Episode 3) – cbs.com (10.21.21) – THURSDAY
The Wonder Years, “The Club” (Season1, Episode 3) – abc.com (10.06.21)
Schitt’s Creek, “Start Spreading the News” (Season 6, Episode 13) – poptv.com
The Office, “Todd Packer” (Season 7, Episode 18) – Peacock.comIt’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, “Hero or Hate Crime?” (Season 12, Episode 06) – Hulu.com
Modern Family, “Legacy” (Season 11, Episode 11) – Hulu.com
Write an analysis of the program exploring the narrative and visual structures utilized in the production of the program. Among the questions that you might consider:
Is the program a series or serial and how does that impact on its narrative structure
How does the show deal with the passage of time and about how much “story time” is covered in the 30 minute program
What is the story and how is it told (i.e. discourse)?
What is the treatment of mood (i.e. lighting, music, set design, etc.)?
What camera framing and angles are used and do these impact on the storytelling?
Is it a single camera production or a multi-camera production?
How are camera movements used to influence the viewing experience
Write an essay, 4-5 typed, double-spaced pages in length, breaking down the program that you have chosen. Grades will be based on organization, integration of course material (i.e. readings, lectures, etc.), writing and the strength of your arguments.
A well-crafted analysis will . . .
Take a position and analyze the chosen program, not just describe the content
Begin building an argument in the opening paragraph with a strong thesis statement, which names your topic, asserts your ideas about this topic, and suggests the arrangement of your paper’s argument
Integrate course readings and lectures into the analysis.
Utilize and define important terms and concepts
Some Helpful Hints
Since the thesis statement asserts your ideas about this topic, it is often easier to write this part last, once you have developed your argument over the body of your paper.
Write a draft of your paper, put it aside for a day or so, and then look at it again with fresh eyes.
Think global when revising your paper. In other words, do not worry about punctuation, spelling, etc. the first time through. Think about the content of your paper and structure/organization. Then focus on grammar, etc. in the final read.
Last Completed Projects
| topic title | academic level | Writer | delivered |
|---|
