PROJECT ONE
Pick a Monstrous Thesis and Run
For Project One, I invite you to look closely at the "Monster Culture (Seven Theses)" essay by Jeffrey Jerome Cohen and choose one of his theses on which to write. Pick one of the seven theses and explore the concepts you find there. You may find evidence in horror films, TV shows, short stories, novels (graphic or otherwise), or any other medium of publication that will support your exploration, even news reports on real-life monsters. If you think of your own monstrous thesis that you would rather explore, by all means go for it.
Remember, you will need to do research to explore the conversation ongoing about the thesis and your questions represent, not just the evidence but also the conversation about the evidence. In other words, what people are saying about your film, print, or other media evidence you will use to develop your thesis. Look for academic source material as well as sociocultural material (popular discourse such as YouTube videos and their commentary, blog posts, news sites, et cetera) that speak to your project. I encourage you to engage authors, experts, etc. via e-mail or personal interview as well - primary source material. You may also do your own research.
Remember, be sure to examine the contexts of those involved in your monstrous thesis - personal context, of the those involved (you or someone else); social context, around those involved and the abstract concepts associated with your thesis; and historic context, about the topic in the past. You are not out to prove or persuade, but to explore your thesis for implications.
Note: The question or questions you ask in your essay may lead your reader in the direction of your position on your monstrous thesis. Providing your reader with appropriate questions is a way to frame your topic for your desired rhetorical effect.
Project One in five parts:
- 1.1, Proposal
- 1.2, Annotated Bibliography
- 1.3, First Draft
- 1.4, Second Draft
- 1.5, Portfolio that includes 1.1 through 1.4
1.1 - Proposal - (hardcopy due Monday, 10/10 for workshop; due Wednesday, 10/12 rewrite for your portfolio). You will write a 500-word proposal, double spaced in 12pt. Arial font:
1. Monstrous Thesis
- State explicitly the monstrous thesis you will explore.
- Give a quick summary of your thesis.
- Identify the abstract concept(s) or topic of conversation your event represents, socially.
- Question(s)
- State explicitly a question or questions (no more than three) that arise from your initial ideas about your monstrous thesis.
- Ask yourself:
- What is the conversation ongoing about my thesis and question(s)?
- Who talks about my thesis and question(s) and why?
- What is his or her or their line of reasoning?
- What assumptions might underlie his or her or their reasoning?
- What is at stake for those who talk about my question/topic?
- How am I adding to the conversation about my question/topic - monstrous thesis?
- Methodology
- How do you intend to go about the writing process?
- Where do you intend to go for information (research)?
- How do you intend to use that information?
- How do you intend to structure your essay?
- How would you describe your rhetorical choices?
- Implications (note: there are no conclusions to conversations ongoing, only implications)
- Where might further discourse on social monsters, real and in media, lead?
- How might culture-generated monsters be depicted in the future?
1.2 - Annotated Bibliography - (hardcopy due Monday, 10/17 for workshop; due Wednesday, 10/19 rewrite for your portfolio). You will write an annotated bibliography on at least six credible sources, including all videos, films, stories, etc. in 12pt. Arial font in MLA format. At least two of these sources shall be academic/scholarly source material. Look to Owl Purdue for annotated bibliography format and look at the Rhetorical Précis worksheet on Bbd, as well as the Hacker-Orlov example of an annotated bib, also on Bbd for how to cite films, DVDs etc.
1.3 - First Draft - (hardcopy due Monday, 10/24 for workshop; due by Wednesday, 10/26 rewrite for your portfolio). You will write four to six full pages plus works cited page, 12 pt. Arial font, 1" margins all around, in MLA format. Please include at least the six sources from your annotated bibliography, two of which must be an academic source.
Note: Be sure to authorize all sources.
Remember: Do not include source material in your Works Cited page not cited in text in your First Draft.
1.4 & 1.5 - Second Draft & Portfolio - (Due Monday, 11/7). You will turn in a substantially revised and polished essay (1.4), including a works cited page, along with all other related and workshopped elements with peer comments: 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3. Enclose all of the above in a light folder (no three-ring binders please). A simple two-pocket folder works perfectly. Put your name and the name of the class, with section number, on the outside of the folder.