Women and media

Agree/Disagree Paper
This assignment takes the form of a 1½-2 page report (double-spaced in 12-pt type*) that allows
you to explore points of view that may be antithetical to your own. You may report on (1) two
articles from your Annotated Bibliography that represent opposing views on your topic, (2) one
article from your Annotated Bibliography and a second article representing an opposing view
(the second article must also come from a library database), or (3) the opposing views of Paul
Andrews and Nicholas Lemann on the effects of internet media on the media industry (articles
by these authors may be found in your reading packet). Review draft due Sunday, Feb. 12;
Final Draft due Tuesday, Feb. 14 (both in my hands and on Turntin.com).
 Place a heading and header at the top of the page and center your title.
 Begin with an introduction that includes a brief, informative statement explaining your purpose
in writing the paper (“In this paper, I plan to . . .”).
 Be sure to include authors’ full name and title of article/articles (“For this purpose, I will be
summarizing the arguments of . . ., as they are presented in the article/articles . . .).
 The next section will present an objective accounting of your sources’ best arguments (pro or
con). Use appropriate signal phrases (“According to Andrews,” etc.) and document all
summaries, paraphrases, and quotes according to MLA style (don’t forget to complete the frame
with an in-text note).
 The paper will be a minimum 4 paragraphs long but the conclusion may be quite short.
 However, it should end with a Works Cited (not counted as part of your 1½-2 pages of text) on a
separate typed page; center the words Works Cited at the top of the page and cite your sources.
Your in-text and block quotations, parenthetical notes, and Works Cited need to follow the rules
of MLA Documentation form (see handouts and/or OWL Purdue).
Being objective is being able to remove yourself from the personal emotions and thoughts you
may have about the topic, while being able to examine fairly and accurately both sides of the
argument you are presenting.
You may use this exercise as an opportunity to gather material for the section of your final paper
that treats refutation and concession. This will go a long way toward establishing your credibility
as a writer (your ethos).
You should, as always, make a special effort to quote, paraphrase, and summarize material from
your sources, but your emphasis, this time around, will be on summary.