ESSAY TWO: The informal evaluation essay

Essay two (3 pages) is due in class on Tuesday, October 23rd.
Bring two hard copies to class: Give one to me. Swap the second with a classmate.

Select a single work of mass media art. Analyze and critique the work selected, reflecting on its construction (medium and sender), purpose (message) and intended audience (receiver). Be sure to judge (your stance) the work too! (Is it good? Why, or why not? Does it achieve its goal? How? Is it biased? Is it generally understood? Etc.)

Analyze and react to the work selected.

1. Describe the work and why it is important (social, artistic, etc.).

• Give a brief summary.
• Talk about why we should care.

2. Analyze the work. Apply the SMCR model.

• Who created the work?
• What medium (channel) is used? Why?
• What is the purpose of the work? Does it achieve this?
• Who is the intended audience? How is the work generally received?

3. Discuss techniques used in the work.

• Evaluate how the work is constructed: lighting, story, sound, etc.
• Evaluate the ideology or “worldview” presented in the work.

4. Take a stand! Is the work amazing, or is it sh*t?

• Convince us why this is the best or worst work.
• Critique your opponents – tell us why they are wrong about the work?

This is a critical reaction/critical opinion essay. You should use at least two sources, but this is not a research essay. The bulk of the writing should be YOUR reaction to the work of media art you have selected, not what others think about it. Follow the steps above (adding an introduction and conclusion), and you’ve got an essay outline! (P.S. You still need to say what your sources are, but because this is an informal essay, you do not need to use APA style or include a bibliography.)