Taking a Stand on another persons’ argument regarding the social/ethical aspects of humor
For detailed guidelines on how to write a position paper as well as for a recommended organization plan for the essay, consult the “Guide_with _Sample” attachment here.
In a nutshell: In this essay, you will take a position in relation to another person’s argument about certain social or ethical aspects of humor. To do so, you first need to choose a paper from the
following list. Then you will develop your response to it in one of two ways:
1) Disagree with the author and explain why; or 2) Agree with certain parts of her/his arguments and disagree with other parts, and explain why.
For how to respond to others’ arguments, please consult Chapter Four in They Say I Say. For further grounds on which to criticize others’ arguments, see also the attached file titled
“Guide_with_Sample.”
1. That’s Not Funny (2014) – full feature documentary (available on YouTube), directed and narrated by Mike Celestino2. “‘PC Culture’ Isn’t Ruining Comedy – Here Are 5 Ways It’s Actually Helping” by Nikita Redkar3. “Don’t Forget What Richard Pryor Taught Us: Offensive Comedy Can Be Liberating” by Jeet Heer4. “Racist and Sexist Jokes Aren’t Harmless — They Can Actually Perpetuate Discrimination” by Thomas E. Ford5. “Funny’s Funny: Humor Is An Essential Freedom of Speech” by Flemming Rose
Word limit: 850-950 words (including the Works Cited section)
Essay format: MLA (Consult the MLA section in your CWR)
TWO PRIMARY CONDITIONS: (This means that if your essay lacks any of the following elements, it will not be marked.)
1) Incorporate at least two relevant quotations, cited in MLA format, from the text you are analyzing to support your thesis. (REMINDER: For efficient quoting, see Chapter Three in They Say/I
Say.) The quotations must play a significant role in the advancement of your argument. In other words, single word or few-word quotes do not meet this requirements.
2) Other than the primary text you will be responding to (i.e., the text you choose from Funny), you must use and cite at least two secondary sources in your essay. (For how to provide MLA
in-text citations, see p. 413 and onward in CWR.) Thus, you will have at least three entries in your Works Cited section.
ENGL 100
Critical Analysis Essay Rubrics
TWO PRIMARY CONDITIONS: (This means that if your essay lacks any of the following elements, it will not be marked.) 1) Incorporate at least two relevant quotations, cited in MLA format, from the text you are analyzing to support your thesis. (REMINDER: For efficient quoting, see Chapter Three in They Say/I
Say.) The quotations must play a significant role in the advancement of your argument. In other words, single word or few-word quotes do not meet this requirements.
2) Other than the primary text you will be responding to (i.e., the text you choose from Funny), you must use and cite at least two secondary sources in your essay. (For how to provide MLA
in-text citations, see p. 413 and onward in CWR.) Thus, you will have at least three entries in your Works Cited section.
Organization / 30 Effective Introduction (contextualization + effective summary of the argument of the essay you are analyzing + your thesis statement, effectively built and stated) 5
Second paragraph containing an effective summary of your chosen author’s essay 5
Body paragraphs each with a clear topic sentence (paragraphs developed in the same order of your supporting details, proposed in the thesis statement) 15
A concise catch-all concluding paragraph that also touches upon the significance of the topic 5
Logic / 40
Clearly and effectively responding to the assignment / Sound recognition of strengths and weaknesses in the other’s essay 20
Valid, decipherable, and fair-minded argumentation (when evaluating and critiquing others as well as putting forward your own arguments)10
Enough specificity (using enough examples, quotes, evidence, etc. to avoid vague generalities) 10
Grammar and spelling / 20
MLA format and presentation / 10(in-text citations, Works Cited section, and essay format)
