21L.015   Introduction to Media StudiesSyllabus | Classes | Labs | Papers | Resources

Paper 6 Assignment

In preparation for your final paper, we're asking each of you to do some preliminary work on your paper and to email some of your ideas to your instructor prior to developing the paper. This is an ungraded opportunity for you to articulate your thoughts and get feedback before sitting down to write. We'd like each of you to send an email message to your instructor which contains information about your paper. You can think about this as a "mini abstract," but it should not be a completed paper. Please send a paragraph or two that describes what you're planning to do. Minimally, this should include your thesis statement; a discussion of your topic and a brief description of what you plan to do in your paper; and a list of at least three research sources or places where you seek to find information. You may also include examples that you're planning on using and your ideas for developing the previous paper. Again, please do not send us your final paper. Expect that your instructor will give you feedback and that your ideas may change as you develop the paper. Also, it is very important that you provide enough information to your instructor so that she has something to respond to. If you find that your instructor responds with comments such as "vague" or if the response is extremely divergent to your initial ideas, it may mean that your ideas have not been expressed as clearly as they could have been in the first place.

These descriptions, or "mini abstracts," should be emailed to your instructor no later than Tuesday, Nov. 23, 1998. Expect to hear a response within 24-36 hours.

mehopper@mit.edu