COM 495
Comprehensive Analysis Paper
Comeaux
Between 7 - 8 pages and worth 100 points
DUE: (see class schedule) ; hard AND electronic copy required. Send electronic copy as
email attachment (Microsoft Word) and make sure you get a “Got It” response from me. NOTE: if
you have problems with your printer do NOT be late to class, send the electronic copy with a note
to me and I will print it.
NOTE: See below for Topic. Questions for Comprehensive Analysis Paper on BB
NOTE: if you wrote about MLK for your Rhetorical Analysis Paper (analyzing his Letter and
Mountaintop speech) you CANNOT select question 2 about MLK for your final paper.
Specifics of your task:
• While this paper is not a rhetorical analysis, you must connect (or frame) your analysis
paper within the focus of our course: an examination of the rhetoric of the civil rights
movement, thus recall that:
o In the first half of our course we studied the Rhetoric of Non-violence in the CR
movement (the Rhetoric of Freedom Now or the Rhetoric of Hope).
o In the second half of our course we will study the Rhetoric of Black Power in the CR
movement (the Rhetoric of Pride and Power and the Rhetoric of Armed SelfDefense or Resistance).
•
Thus a comprehensive analysis paper within the frame of our course suggests that you
need to explore/examine:
o what happened (formation of the event, organization, or emergence of the
individual(s) into the CR movement),
o how it happened (examine and interpret the unfolding of the majors aspect of event,
organization or the unfolding of individuals’ styles of rhetoric and leadership, etc),
o how and why it was successful (or not) in terms of the goals of the event or
organization and the goals of the movement, OR how and why the leadership and
rhetoric of the individual(s) was (or was not) successful in terms of goals of the
movement,
o And finally, you need to consider the impact of those individuals, events, or
organizations today. This final part is similar to the question, what can we learn (or
what have we learned)?
o As you analyze this impact in today’s world consider the ‘Guiding Questions for this
course” along with the reading “What Would a Theory of Communication Be For?”
See the excerpt from your course syllabus below.
TIMELINES, Other suggestions and some examples of topics:
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•
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Avoid mere summary or report and make sure develop your paper from a clear thesis
or conclude with a clear thesis (perspective which is your interpretation of your
research).
Thus you must first select a topic/question and then begin your research from
materials in the course and then your own search for further sources.
Write your first draft and then re-write and re-write until it is polished (visit the
writing center as needed)—I will not pre-grade your paper but will assist you with
your drafts/ideas.
Review the following (on our BB site) as you search for a bibliographic sources:
o Civil Rights NOTES (by Dr. Comeaux)
o
o
o
o
o
Milestones in the Modern Civil Rights
Southern Freedom Movement History & Timeline
“Partial” Reading List of Academic Articles
Library Books on Civil Rights Movement and its Leaders
Readings (articles) found under Assigned Articles and under Resources
Regarding Organization and Style:
Use a clear organizational pattern (either deductive or inductive development). For either
pattern you must provide an introductory paragraph engaging and orienting the reader into the
topic. A deductive pattern provides a preview of content and approach and clearly states the thesis
while an inductive pattern engages and orients the reader and then lays out the case and evidence
which leads inevitably into a concluding argument or thesis.
The style must follow a logical and coherent progression of ideas with grammatical
sentence structure and accurate spelling. Use correct format for citing references in your essay
and in the references page. As COM majors we use APA style; an example of use of APA
references in the paper and in the Works Cited (References) is on BB under Resources and also
under Student Work (Scott’s paper).
Requirements of Paper: Paper must be typed double spaced using either 11 point Times New
Roman (you may NOT use 12 point font) OR 11 point Calibri 11 (default for Microsoft Word 2007).
HOWEVER, do NOT use triple spacing between paragraphs (FIX your paragraph default so that
spacing and indentation are all set on “0”); use paragraph indent for new paragraphs. Do not use
right margin justification.
A title page is necessary for this paper, so just use your last name and page # for the text of the
pages (do not repeat a heading on the first page). Length should be between 7 to 8 pages.*
NOTE: you may exceed 8 pages slightly but do not write under 7 and ½ pages. Check
spelling and grammar construction. Make sure you use complete, logical sentences and coherent
development of thought. Address the task/questions directly. (See Evaluation Form below)
*Please stay within these page requirements with one of the required fonts. Grade-wise it is
OK/better to exceed the length slightly rather than to fall below the required.
Please Note: excellence and quality is expected in your work. Never be satisfied with the first
draft. Feel free to call or email me with questions and consult the writing center for assistance on
your development of thought, etc. However, I will not pre-grade your draft; I have provided all the
resources you need to be successful (excellent examples, APA example, and an opportunity to
rewrite).
QUESTIONS/TOPICS for Comprehensive Analysis Paper
Choose one of the following topic/questions NOTE: those who wrote about MLK for the
Rhetorical Analysis Paper may NOT select # 2 below:
1. Compare and contrast the goals and development of SNCC under the leadership of John Lewis
with the changing goals and development of SNCC under the leadership of Stokley
Carmichael.
2. Examine the development of Martin Luther King as a moral and political figure focusing on the
events and effects surrounding the following speeches: “I Have a Dream” and “Beyond
Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence.”
3. Examine Malcolm X’s development and impact on the Civil Rights Movement using examples
from his speeches to support your analysis (make sure you select and note the differences in
his beginning speeches and those toward the end of his life).
4. Examine Stokely Carmichael’s development and leadership/rhetorical style using examples
from his speeches to support your analysis.
5. Compare and contrast the development and leadership/rhetorical styles of Malcolm X with that
of Stokley Carmichael.
6. Compare and contrast the development of the goals, strategies and accomplishments of SCLC
with that of SNCC.
7. Examine the goals, development and strategies of the Black Panther Party and the rise of
Black Power. Did their goals justify their strategies?
8. Examine the community organizing leadership styles of Ella Baker OR Robert (Bob) Parris
Moses and her/his involvement with SNNC and contributions to the civil rights movement.
9. Examine and analyze the role of the US federal government (presidents, congressional
lawmakers and members of the Supreme Court) in influencing the course of events in the civil
rights movement.
10. Examine and analyze the role of ordinary citizens (for example: Septima Clark, Ella Baker, Jo
Ann Robinson, Bob Mosses, Diana Nash,) in influencing the course of events in the civil rights
movement. (note: do not select all of these but focus on a select few).
COM 495 EVALUATION FORM – Comprehensive Analysis Paper
(Use as a guide for writing as I will use it to evaluate your paper)
E = Excellent
VG = Very Good
S = Satisfactory
NI = Needs Improvement
Content and Quality
______ Provided an introductory paragraph engaging and orienting the reader into the topic and then
providing a preview of content and approach and clearly stating the thesis (deductive pattern) OR
engaging and orienting the reader into the topic and using an inductive pattern move the reader
along by laying out your case and the evidence which leads inevitably into a concluding argument
or thesis.
_______ Used a minimum of 6 different sources from course materials and resources and own research
incorporated in paper.
______ Avoided summary or report but rather interpreted the research from a clear thesis/perspective
outlined in the introduction or interpreted the research using an inductive approach leading into
your thesis.
______
Insightfully and thoroughly addressed relevant issues and sub-topics related to selected topic.
______ Provided a conclusion which analyzed the impact for today.
______
Demonstrated excellence in analysis; insightful, thorough and in-depth critical thinking which
reflects work of a senior-level seminar and excellence. In other words, paper demonstrated
sophisticated observations, analysis and conclusions.
Format and Organization
______ Organized clearly using a deductive or inductive pattern.
_____
Body focused and centered major ideas, transitions used to connect ideas OR sub-topics used.
______ Conclusion summarized and provided value and impact for today.
______ Writing style followed a logical and coherent progression of ideas; writing style clear with acceptable
usage/grammar.
______ Included quotations/paraphrases and references within paper and accurate “Works Cited” (6
sources minimum); used accurate APA format.
______ 7 to 8 typed pages of text and included separate title page and separate Works Cited page. Used
required font 11 point Times New Roman or Calibri), double spaced (NO triple spacing between
paragraphs) and proofed for spelling and usage; hard and electronic copies of paper received on
time.