What am I suppose to do? I chose House M.D. as my show. I don't understand what this assignment is asking exactly.
Essay Assignment (Essay 2) Now that you have summarized a television series, go back and examine the characters. How does the television show portray 1) race, 2) social class, 3) sexuality, or 4) gender (pick one)? Note specific instances, incidents, or examples from episodes which demonstrate how race, social class, sexuality, or gender operates in the show and how it affects the main characters or make specific statements to a specific audience
(like Heiman and Bookspan argue how Sesame Street negatively portrays females). Create a comparison-contrast argumentative 5-paragraph essay using either point-by-point or subject-by-subject development that examines two characters (e.g. a white character and an African-American character) or two groups (the males vs. the females) and explains how your show upholds (or subverts/undermines) the dominant values of the society. You can use some of your summary as background information in your introductory paragraph before you state your thesis and plan of development. e.g.: On the CW’s drama Melrose Place… To begin, try watching an episode of the television series. You might notice, while watching, who fights the battles, who makes the decisions, who does the work. Does the shows uphold (or subvert/undermine) the dominant vales of the society?
Maybe the show upholds a long-held stereotype For example, maybe the women in the show are all housewives while all the male characters all work outside the home. Then you might argue that the show upholds long-held “value,” i.e.
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women as dependent on men/women as homemakers incapable of work outside the home. You might conclude then that the show sends the wrong message to society, in particular to women, about their role in society. Conversely, maybe the show subverts a stereotype. For example, maybe you notice that the poor characters are honest/moral while the rich characters are dishonest/immoral. You might then argue that the show subverts the traditional social class stereotype of poor people as criminals. You might conclude then that the show sends a positive message to society. Remember: 1. Use the 3rd person voice Example: When the viewer first sees Violet Not: When you first see Violet (not 2nd person) Example: The characterization of Violet shows ABC Not: I think the characterization of Violet shows ABC (not 1st person) 2. Stick to the limited thesis, i.e. avoid writing about television (or the television industry) in general. 3. Use characters’ names, not actors’ names Example: When Violet first encounters… Not: When Ashlee Simpson first encounters… 4. Summarize plot developments in the simple present tense Example: Then Violet meets… Not: Then Violet met… (not past tense).
You're supposed to write an essay about your show.
Answer each of the above questions in your essay.
That was not really helpful.
I think I got it anyway.
It seems like you have been assigned to write an essay analyzing how the television show House M.D. portrays either race, social class, sexuality, or gender. The assignment asks you to provide specific instances, incidents, or examples from episodes that demonstrate how one of these factors operates in the show and how it affects the main characters. You are also asked to create an argumentative essay using a comparison-contrast approach, focusing on two characters or two groups and explaining how the show upholds or subverts the dominant values of society.
To start, you should watch an episode of House M.D. paying attention to how different characters interact, make decisions, and engage in various activities. This will help you identify patterns or stereotypes related to race, social class, sexuality, or gender. For example, you might notice if certain characters have specific roles assigned to them based on their gender, or if there are recurring themes related to social class or race.
Once you have observed these aspects of the show, you can proceed to develop your thesis statement and plan of development for your essay. It is important to stick to the third-person voice, using characters' names rather than actors' names, and summarizing plot developments in the simple present tense.
For example, you might argue that House M.D. upholds the dominant value of gender stereotypes by portraying female characters as dependent on men or as homemakers incapable of work outside the home. In this case, you can use specific instances from the show to support this argument and conclude that the show sends the wrong message to society, particularly to women, about their role in society.
On the other hand, you might find that House M.D. subverts a certain stereotype, such as portraying poor characters as honest/moral while rich characters are depicted as dishonest/immoral. You can then argue that the show challenges the traditional social class stereotype of poor people as criminals and conclude that it sends a positive message to society.
Remember to structure your essay in a comparison-contrast format, using either point-by-point or subject-by-subject development. Use your summary of the show as background information in your introductory paragraph, followed by your thesis statement and plan of development.