MINI CRITICISM PAPER OUTLINE

Author information:  Include your name, course info, and date on the upper left corner of the first page.  Double space the entire paper.  

Title:  Type the title of your paper, centered.

I.  Introduction (1 paragraph)

         A.  Attention-getter

         B.  Identify research question 

         C.  State thesis in one sentence

         D.  Explain why this argument is significant 

II. Description of the Artifact (1 paragraph)

A.  Brief overview of the artifact (plot of movie, meaning of lyrics, reason for speech, etc)

         B.  Explain why it is worthy of study

III. Description of Method (2-3 paragraphs)

A.  Demonstrate your understanding of the method (define terms, describe theoretical components, theorists, steps of analysis, etc)

         B.  Explain why you used this method 

IV. Analysis (2-4 paragraphs)

         A.  Each paragraph should begin with a topic sentence

B.  Each paragraph should provide evidence from the artifact to support the topic sentence

C.  Each paragraph should offer your explanation / analysis of the evidence

D.  Don’t forget to use the vocabulary of the method in your analysis

V.  Conclusion (1 paragraph)

         A.  Restate thesis, in different words

         B.  Summarize your argument

         C.  Expand on significance of your argument to rhetorical theory / benefit of future research

VI. Works Cited/Reference Page

A.  List the references you used in your paper using MLA or APA format.  Don’t forget to cite your artifact.

VII. Mechanics and Form

         A.  The paper is to be 3+ pages in length, double-spaced, using       12pt font (Times New Roman), on white paper, black ink, one inch   margins all around, all pages must be numbered, it must be stapled (do not use a paper holder / binder), left or full justified

         B.  The paper should be free of grammatical, typing, and spelling    errors

         C.  The paper should be clearly written and well organized

Example RQ and Theses

Example Research Questions and Theses

RQ: How did civil rights leaders in the 1960s convey their ideas of racial equality to the American public?
Thesis: Martin Luther King, Jr. is one civil rights leader who employed naturalistic, economic, and familial metaphors to articulate his “dream” of racial equality.

RQ: In this paper, I would like to explore how the eulogy genre may be evoked to mourn the tragic loss of a public figure.
Thesis: I argue in this essay that Earl Spencer, when eulogizing his sister Diana, violated the traditional eulogy by infusing it with an element of blame, thereby failing to “console” his audience.

RQ: Given that popular music reaches the ears of millions and possesses the potential to influence those listening, I will be examining how gender roles are constructed and maintained within popular lyrics.
Thesis: As my case study, I analyze the song “She’s a Lady” by Tom Jones to argue that the use of infantilizing, violent, and traditionally gendered rhetoric sends the message that “good women” are submissive and subservient to men.

EXAMPLE: 

2004 DemConvention Speeches: 

Ron Reagan

https://youtu.be/e40TpLX3g90?si=_Q3i7ZKehc8CYgz5

attach files for this speech are below for 

RON REAGAN’S SPEECH ON STEM CELL

RESEARCH AT THE 2004 DNC