Critical Writing Assignment:
Write a 300-400 word analysis of one (only one) media-specific concept (not a
theory/an account of things that makes use of particular concepts) from Chapters
1 to 3 of the course textbook. Your submission needs to be written in standard essay
form (no point form, use paragraphs, structure should be: thesis; development/body;
conclusion. Also see below.). Ask yourself: how does the concept apply to that
particular medium? What understanding do I gain through applying the concept?
What are possible downsides or deficiencies to the concept I chose? To be more
specific, your task is as follows in the next paragraph…
When writing this critical piece, structure it like an essay. This means, although you
are not advancing an argument (as you would be doing in an actual essay), make clear
in the introduction (or opening sentences) the focus of your assessment (ie, the medium
you choose to examine). Then indicate why that particular concept has importance for
what the medium you’re analyzing. Getting into the exposition portion of your piece
(which entails doing some reading/researching of the medium you’ve chosen),
develop on or discuss the details concerning the function/purpose and, in nontechnical
language (ie, engineering terminology), the workings of the medium. To conclude your
analysis, speculate on how and why the analysis may be expanded to account for other
contemporary mediums. Note, all sources informing your analysis need to be from
peer-reviewed scholarly works (Wikipedia is NOT a peer-reviewed source, however,
academic journal articles are).
Note on research: Cite all your sources and include a bibliography with your
assignment. You must only use the MLA citation style.
Note on writing: As with any form of academic writing, do not assume the reader
knows about the material you are writing on.
