COMM3210
Critical Analysis Final Paper
Goals: To compare 1984 in productive and engaging ways to one or two of the texts listed below; to put to use your close reading, writing, and critical thinking skills; to write a well-organized, well-developed paper with a clearly defined thesis statement; to write a paper that follows APA and the five-paragraph format.
Instructions: Choose ONE of the following topics (and in turn choose to focus on 1984 and one, two, or three of the other texts from the list provided below). Regardless of which topic you choose, ensure you stick to the texts, rather than offering sweeping statements on how our society or the world works. For example, if you want to focus on our society’s education system, draw your points from “Dehumanized” or from further research into academic sources, not on your own generalizations.
Analysis: Remember to provide evidence by quoting specific aspects of the text and analyzing them to explain how they support your arguments.
Comparison: Each topic asks you to compare 1984 in different ways, but all of them involve some form of comparison. Your thesis statement should take the form of a comparison argument and the rest of the paper should serve to prove that argument. Re-read “Comparison Essays” (Moodle) for more information.
Format: Remember to use APA citation format and to include a References page. Follow the Format for Papers section of the syllabus.
Word Count: XXXXXXXXXXwords
PASSING THE COURSE: You must obtain a grade of 50% on this paper in order to pass the course.
Topics
1. How do the Proles and the Outer Party help to create and maintain the dystopia of 1984? What would some authors from the list below suggest as “solutions” to prevent this from happening?
2. How does 1984 depict its society’s reliance on technology? What would some authors from the list below suggest as “solutions” to this approach in the modern world?
3. How does 1984 suggest language use relates to critical thinking? What would some authors from the list below suggest as “solutions” in the modern world?
Mark Slouka’s “Dehumanized”; George Orwell’s “Politics and the English Language”; Daniel Francis’s “The Bureaucrat’s Indian”; Robin Kimmerer’s “Speaking of Nature”; David Steele’s “Danger Lurks in a Biotech World”; Stephen Jay Gould’s “Evolution as Fact and Theory”; Wendell Berry’s “Agricultural Solutions for Agricultural Problems”; Real Women’s “Marriage Between a Man and a Woman”; NARTH’s “Our Purpose”; T.S. Eliot’s “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock”; Paul Simon’s “Sounds of Silence”; George Lakoff’s “Metaphors that Kill”; Naomi Klein’s “Don’t Fence Us In”; Margaret Atwood’s “God is in the Details.”
Course Code: COMM3210
Critical Analysis Final Essay Rubric
| Content and Argument | Writing and Organization | APA Style and Format |
| Excellent The essay is based on a careful reading of the articles, or viewing of the videos The writer supports their argument with well-chosen examples and detail from that week’s assigned materials. | Excellent The essay is well-organized with a clear thesis statement, flows logically, and clearly responds to the question. The post is so well written and engaging that it is a pleasure to read. The response is two to three paragraphs in length and fully addresses the question. | Excellent The essay fully follows APA citation style and format. |
| Good The writer has demonstrated sufficient understanding of the course materials and the question. The writer uses specific examples and detail to support their argument. | Good The essay is well organized; it contains evidence of a thesis statement and it flows logically. There is sufficient content to fully answer the question. | Good The essay generally follows APA citation style and format. |
| Sufficient The writer generally shows their careful reading/viewing of the course material, although at times they could have used more detail and examples to support their argument. | Sufficient The essay could have been more tightly organized and the thesis statement could have been stronger. At times it wanders too far from the question, or the flow from one paragraph to the next is unclear. They may not have responded directly to the question. | Sufficient The essay has some problems with APA citation style and format. |
| Needs Improvement The essay does not draw on sufficient examples and details from the course materials. They do not demonstrate a reflective and careful reading or viewing of the class material. There are errors in their discussion of theory. The response may only be a single paragraph in length. | Needs Improvement The essay does not flow well. The thesis statement is weak. Spelling errors or grammar mistakes distract the reader. The response does not fully address the question before considering other material. The response may be somewhat brief. | Needs Improvement The essay contains a number of errors with regard to APA citation style and format. |
| Weak The essay fails to demonstrate the student’s understanding of either the theory involved, or the specific material covered. The writer has not demonstrated their careful reading or viewing of the course content. The response lacks critical supporting detail, and does not demonstrate their mastery of the content. The response is very brief. | Weak The essay lacks organization. The thesis statement is missing or ineffective. The wording is so awkward that it sometimes distracts from the argument. The response is too brief to fully answer the question, perhaps only a few sentences. The response may consist largely of quotes from the work with little interpretation. | Weak There is little evidence that the student attempted to follow APA style and general format. |
| Grading for this assignment: A+ = All excellent XXXXXXXXXX) A/A- = Mostly excellent (80-89) B/B+ = Mostly Good (73-79) C+/B- = Good with some sufficient (67-72) C or below = Mostly Sufficient to Needs Improvement (60 – 66) D or below= Mostly Weak or Needs Improvement ( | Category | Description |
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