Homework 6
BE
SURE TO FOLLOW THE FILE-NAMING CONVENTIONS FOR THIS COURSE (5% penalty
if you do not).
All files should be saved on your computer as: your last name, followed
by an underscore ("_"), followed by the first two letters
of your first name, followed by an underscore ("_"), followed
by the assignment number. So if a student named Saddam Hussein were
to submit assignment number 6, the file name would be:
hussein_sa_6.doc |
Character
Development Paper
In this week's reading (AVAILABLE UNDER "COURSE DOCUMENTS" IN
BLACKBOARD) Marsha Kinder draws on a statement from David Simon, producer
of The Wire, to explain the significance of the show's characters. She
observes that The Wire is like no other television show because
“the series is all about subtext (what's omitted) and the need to
change policy. Yet we care deeply about these issues because of our emotional
engagement with these characters who emerge from the ensemble cast”
(p. 52). For this assignment you will select one of the characters you’ve
been observing for your character journals to demonstrate the significance
of the subtext (what's omitted) to the overall meaning of the series.
After reviewing your notes, write a 500 - 700 page paper on either question
A or question B below.
QUESTION A. Much like any good story, the conflicts/tensions/drama
surrounding the characters in The Wire will relate to larger
social themes the audience is familiar with. In your opinion, what familiar
theme(s) does your character's most significant conflict relate to? (Man
vs. Man, Man vs. Society, Man vs. Himself, Man vs. Nature, or Man vs.
Fate/God). What is the nature of the conflict(s)--physical, intellectual,
moral, emotional, or spiritual? Explain your position using evidence from
the episodes you have viewed so far.
Or
QUESTION B. Does David Simon, the writer of this show,
use this character to explore or reveal some aspect(s) of human nature
or life? If so, what are they and what message is he sending the viewers?
Explain your position using evidence from the episodes you have viewed
so far. .
Be sure to organize your essay around a thesis
that encapsulates your specific thesis. Likewise, be sure to use evidence
in the form of direct quotations from The Wire and to structure
your presentation of the evidence around the familiar Claim/Evidence/Warrant
format. As always, be sure to keep your direct quotations to 10 or fewer
words. See here on how to reduce
quotations.
WE
WILL GRADE YOUR ESSAYS ACCORDING TO A RUBRIC, SO LOOKING AT THE RUBRIC
BEFORE WRITING YOUR PAPER WILL HELP YOU WRITE A BETTER PAPER AND GET A
BETER GRADE. SEE RUBRIC
HERE. (ms-word file delivered to your desktop).
"END
OF ASSIGNMENT"
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