Final Essay Scenario

If you are having topic/thesis trouble with your essay, feel free to use the scenario described below.

Several students, however, have spoken to me about approaches to the assignment that do not conform to the scenario; this is perfectly fine. If the scenario helps, use it. If not, see me with your ideas, and I will help you make sure you're pursuing a viable thesis.

The scenario:

A common cultural experience is being planned on a global scale. This project is similar to common reading experiences, in which all members of a given community read the same book with the idea that this will generate discussion and understanding.

The "text" in this project is not limited to books. Any act of human cultural expression created within your lifetime may be used. Once a work is selected, the goal will be for it to be experienced by as many people on the planet as possible.

Your task is to nominate a single work and make the strongest case possible that it should be adopted for the project.

Your argument must be made objectively and you must provide reasons beyond the fact that you like the work you are nominating.

Also, your argument should be based in part on information obtained from outside sources. Keep in mind that this encompasses much more that background information on whatever book, film, painting or other work your are discussing. For example, imagine that you are arguing that everyone should experience the song "Eye of the Tiger" because it will energize people and encourage them toward physical activity, contributing to increased global physical fitness. In this scenario, you may be better off researching fitness levels around the world than the discography of the band Survivor.

Here are some logistical requirements:

• Length: 1250-1750 words.
• Due at the time of the final exam.
• Sources do not need to come from academic publications, but must conform to reasonable standards of reliability. This means:
• a source must have an identifiable author.
• a source's author must be qualified in some way to discuss the topic.
• Essays citing sources like Wikipedia, Buzzfeed, About.com, etc. will not be accepted. See me if you have questions about the suitability of a particular source.
• Sources should be documented according to MLA guidelines. This includes in-text parenthetical citations that correspond to entries on a works cited page.