This is a 1150 word analysis with a minimum of 7 sources.
Perform a researched, semiotic analysis of a TV program (reality, scripted, etc.), film, song or musical artist of your choosing. Try to conceptualize not just your favorite program, film or album, but rather something you are familiar with with has larger thematic concerns, and has gravitas to analyze. You should view your choice several times and takes notes so you can be as specific as possible in your essay.
Consider the following approaches to this essay:
Outside In: With this approach you are analyzing the primary source through the lens of its placement in time, structure, and theme as it relates to its genre. Consider its associations and differences. In chapter 3, the authors discussed OITNB as it relates to a multitude of other shows. Analyze your primary source from this perspective.
Inside Out: With this approach you are explicating the primary source in depth for all its signs and their meanings to get to its larger thematic concern, or argue the filmmaker's objective. Again referring to chapter 3, also with OITNB, the authors looked inward at a specific episode called "The Chickening" where they unpacked the symbolism of that episode in depth.
Research
Source Requirements: When I say sources, I am talking about research, secondary and tertiary sources above and beyond anything associated with the primary source(s). Everything needs to be included on the Works Cited page, properly formatted per MLA guidelines AND introduced, vetted, paraphrased or quoted from and parenthetically cited within the essay. Of course, you also need to analyze each source as it supports your argumentative, analytical thesis.
15% essay: 3 sources from BC database or books from the library, 1 visual (also probably from the BC database), 1 essay from our course textbook, and a minimum of 1 other secondary or tertiary source of your choice. In addition, (?) Everything associated with your primary source (what you're analyzing) will be considered a source to be annotated. At minimum, there will be 7 citations on your Works Cited page, and utilized (introduced, quoted or paraphrased from, parenthetically cited, and analyzed in relation to thesis) within the essay itself. If it's not in the essay, it does not belong on a Works Cited page whether you looked it up or not.