Major Assignment 2: Cultural History
Assignment
Your assignment in this module is to compose a cultural history of an image, sign, trope, or character from horror films.
To complete this assignment, conduct a rhetorical analysis of the image, sign, trope, or character to explain what the character generally represents. For example, the vampire represents social fears of Otherness, im/migrants, and miscegenation. Provide “proof” based on research. Then, you should contextualize what the image, sign, trope, or character “does” as it makes its way through horror film history. Every time it is used, it represents something different, something that is a mix of its original meaning(s) and the newer meanings that represent the current moment. For example, the vampire of Dracula (1931) represented Europe’s immigration fears during the early 20th century; in Blacula (1972), he represented a Civil Rights turn and an interrogation of racism; and in Vampires in the Bronx (2020), vampires represent the racism and classism of gentrification. Therefore, your essay provides a brief overview of the historical, social, and cultural significance of the image, sign, trope, or character over time. Because the audience does not necessarily have access to the image, sign, trope, or character, you need to describe its standardized iteration(s) and current cultural status before informing them about its origins and transformations over time.
To complete this assignment, you also need to understand the basic elements of rhetorical analysis in order to describe the logical structure of the image, sign, trope, or character and the topics that tend to cohere around it (topos). How or to what is this image applied most often? Explain what cultural assumptions it tends to rely on. What does the audience need to know in order to “be in on” its meaning? Then, think about the kinds of values and rhetoric the meme conveys: who or what does it support, mock, correct, or contest, and how does enthymematic thinking contribute to this? Provide also a brief description of its development over time, and finally, guess at how the image might mutate over time, or whether it may remain the same for now. What gives you this impression? Be sure to sharpen your analysis through a focus on how icons, enthymemes, topoi, and cultural assumptions/values work.
Your paper should:
• assert a thesis that 1) explicitly states what you believe the icon, etc. does rhetorically, and 2) makes clear that your paper will develop an argument to prove this is the case by presenting historical information;
• provide context that will help your intended readers understand the importance of the topic to individuals and our society in a complex way;
• use specific rhetorical strategies that will engage the audience you seek;
• include select quotes and supporting information from three sources in addition to the image(s);
• follow APA conventions.
You should know by now that discerning readers have high standards for arguments they take seriously. As you develop your argument, your goals will be to
• demonstrate a thorough understanding of the reading;
• base your argument on evidence rather than opinion;
• establish whether the author or authors achieve their intended goal(s);
• write with your readers in mind.
If you meet these goals, you should establish credibility with your readers. Experienced writers will tell you that the credibility factor is a significant element in developing a convincing argument. If you base your paper on unsubstantiated opinion, vague generalities, or easily recognizable logical fallacies, readers will dismiss your argument as weak and ineffective.
Intended Readers
Your paper will address readers across different academic communities, so your audience is a general group that is diverse and educated. Keep in mind that diverse make up of your intended readers. Your goal is to make your research as relevant as possible to a wide audience despite its scholarly framework. Remember that if you use relevant terminology to make a point, you should define them briefly.
Reminders
The University Writing Center is available to all students. Assistance from UWC tutors or from peers is authorized so long as all writing is original and yours.
Format and Required Documents
Your paper should
• be double-spaced;
• be 6 pages or longer as needed, 12 point readable font;
• justified on the left-hand margin;
• follow standard guidelines for the heading, pagination, internal documentation, and References:
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