Essay #2: Exemplification
Assignment:
Purpose: Exemplification essays explain abstract concepts through concrete examples. The purpose of this assignment is to help you develop your ability to fully support your claims. Write an exemplification essay in which you explain how film perpetuates or challenges stereotypes about a specific group of people (age, lifestyle, income level, religion, gender/sexuality, mental illness, race, nation/culture, etc.). Choose three examples of one stereotype reflected or challenged in one film to support your claim. Your examples should be specific and should consider the way that the dialogue, actions, and personality of specific characters contribute to or challenge that stereotype.
Writing Mode: This is an exemplification essay, not an opinion piece. Therefore, the essay should be written in third person, should avoid generalizations, and should focus only on the stereotype as manifested in the film. Your personal experience with the stereotype may not be included in the essay.
Research and Content: You should do some broad reading in the library databases about your chosen stereotype. How is the stereotype often applied in our culture? What are some of the ways that this stereotype causes harm?
Organization:
Your essay should be organized like this:
1. Introduction: The introduction and conclusion are critical to the development of your essay, so do not simply write generalizations in either (i.e. “Stereotypes often show up in film” or “People should not stereotype each other”). Do not explain what a stereotype is in your introduction; you may safely assume that your audience is aware of this concept! Instead, use your introduction to provide the specific context of the stereotype/film that you have chosen. What do we need to understand about this stereotype/film in order to understand your thesis and support?
2. Thesis statement (last sentence of introduction): Your thesis statement should identify the stereotype and preview the three examples you will discuss in the body paragraphs.
3. Body paragraphs: Using exemplification, give at least three documented examples of the stereotype within your chosen film. Each paragraph should focus on one example of this particular stereotype. Describe each example in detail, and explain clearly why each example either challenges or perpetuates this stereotype.
4. Conclusion: Your conclusion should not simply summarize your essay; rather, use the conclusion to explain the significance of your observations. Why does it matter that this particular group of people is stereotyped in this film? How do you see that same stereotype reflected in our culture?
Point of View:
• You should be writing in third person (nouns, as well as he, she, they). Do not use first or second person (such as I or we, or you, your, yours).
Length:
• Your essay must be 600-800 words in length. There will be point deductions for going significantly over or under the word count.
Outside Sources:
• You will use one to two academic sources from the library databases (not Google). You must also cite the film.
• All sources must be properly documented using in-text citations and a Works Cited page. Both elements of MLA documentation must be included.
• You may not submit an essay that you wrote for a previous class.
Format:
• Your essay should be formatted according to MLA standards for essays, including using Times New Roman, size 12 font, and giving the essay a reflective, creative title.
Some Writing Tips:
• I encourage you to choose a movie that you know well rather than one that you have never seen and/or one which you cannot readily access. Is there a movie that made you frustrated or angry because of its stereotypes? Is there one that you love because it breaks stereotypes? Do not focus on the major characters to the point that you are blinded by the minor characters. Often the minor characters are the ones who represent stereotypes the most.
• Embrace the writing process (brainstorming, drafting, conferences or peer review, revision).
• Plan to visit the Writing Center and ask for help (even if you don’t think you need it).
• Ask questions as you go!
Last Completed Projects
| topic title | academic level | Writer | delivered |
|---|