1. CRITIQUES

2. Writing a Critique In a response paper, you respond to a text based on your personal experience/feelings/ideas. In a critique, you take a somewhat more formal approach. You respond to a text by applying criteria and then making a judgment as to the text’s quality or value.

3. What criteria have we been using to evaluate writing? C-C-U-S-S…. (Make sure you can list them.) So when we’ve evaluated writing, we’ve looked at specific criteria & made a judgment as to the writing’s quality. This is what you do when you write a Critique. (Engage in Analysis, Evaluation, & Explanation)

4. What type of criteria might you consider when evaluating a TV show? Is the acting convincing? Are the sets realistic? Are the techniques (camera, light, special effects) seamless? Help to advance the story line? Disruptive? Are the soundtracks effective? Does dialogue seem realistic? Does it adequately represent its time period? Is there enough action? Too little action? Is it too moralistic? Does it carry too few valuable messages? Does it push boundaries – in a good way? A bad way? Does it provide viewers with something they might need? Is that good or bad?

5. PAPER 3: CRITIQUE

6. For YOUR critique, you will include the following: The thesis of YOUR critique will develop from the following questions. What “American value” is represented (or challenged) in this episode? How? What is the “message” of the show (concerning values)? Is it positive/negative? (Review the example critique of Duck Dynasty.) Your thesis could also focus on one specific aspect of its message. Is it too moralistic? Does it carry too few valuable messages? Does it push boundaries – in a good way? A bad way? Does it provide viewers with something they might need? Is that good or bad? Remember to include specific examples from the TV episode to illustrate your CLAIM & SUB-CLAIMS. In your discussion, you may include the criteria listed below (if it helps your overall critique). Is the acting convincing? Are the sets realistic? Are the techniques (camera, light, special effects) seamless? Help to advance the story line? Disruptive? Are the soundtracks effective? Does dialogue seem realistic? Does it adequately represent its time period? Is there enough action? Too little action?

7. A likely structure for your paper… INTRODUCTION Engage the Reader Identify the Subject of the Critique Orient the reader - Summarize the subject of the critique: what’s it about? Discuss what other critics have said about it Thesis: Indicate what you’re going to say about it – what criteria are you applying and what is your judgment based on these criteria about its value? BODY Provide sub-claims Explain & Defend your position (for each sub-claim), drawing on specific evidence from one or more episodes (and/or sources) CONCLUSION Reassert your thesis. Provide Closure (Not necessary – but - you could consider mirroring the strategy you used to open your paper. For example, if you opened with a question, consider answering it. If you began with a quote, end with a quote. If you began with a story, end with a story.)

8. Sample Thesis Sentences Though the TV show Game of Thrones has been wildly successful, it is unbalanced, offering too much dialogue and too little action. Glee makes a positive and worthwhile social statement: that differences should be accepted rather than causing exclusion and cruelty. (YOUR thesis will be similar to the second ex.)

9. SAMPLE PAPER Crazy Good: Mystery and Family Values in Showtime’s United States of Tara (linked to the assignment in DP) As you read the paper, look for how the author engaged in analysis, evaluation, & explanation. Look for the Elements of a Critique. (Source/Criteria/Standards/A,E,E) - Label each Structural element. (Listed on “Likely Structure” slide). - Highlight the thesis statement. - Identify the sub-claims. - List the criteria used to critique the TV show at the top of the paper. - Review the conclusion for the restatement of the thesis. - Review the closure provided. Effective or Ineffective? - Consider CCUSS. What is the quality of this sample paper? (Respond for each aspect of CCUSS.)