Writing Guide

Part I: Selecting/Analyzing a Representation of Disaster                                                  

1. Briefly describe media representation of a disaster you have chosen to analyze. Explain what it is, where it is from, and, if it is long or complex, what specific segment of it you will use.

2. What specific causes or consequences of disaster does it show, and how?

3. What kinds of causes or consequences of disaster that we have discussed in class might be related to this disaster, but are not shown in the media representation?

Part II: Forming Your Argument                                                                                                      

1. What concepts from class (including the genocide unit) most relate to the causes and consequences shown/hidden in your media representation?

2. Which concept would be the most useful for making an argument about how your media representation highlights or hides a specific cause or consequence of disaster? Why?

3. In one sentence, state your paper’s argument.

Part 3: Forming Your Analysis                                                                                                         

1. List a specific example from your media representation that you will analyze to support your main argument (note that you will use more than one example in your final paper).

2. Explain how the example demonstrates your argument to be true.

NOTES:

• Ask yourself: is this representation appropriate for the assignment? If not, repeat the process with another one.

• Ask yourself: will this analysis show how specific elements of the representation support my argument? If not, revise.

• Ask yourself: can this argument be more focused and specific? If so, revise.

Feel free to meet with your TA during office hours to discuss your paper – have a completed version of this worksheet with you for the meeting.