Critical Reading 8
Classification and Distinction: Time
As we move into our Essay 3 Proposals, one of the most intuitive approaches when choosing a topic is to consider how we can divide groups of subjects in definitive ways that make sense. In this case, one of the simplest categories we can apply is time.
For example, we can take the broad category of film and consider how movies have changed in significant ways by decade or era.
This also applies to any other form of art as well, including fashion, television, comics, video games, and so on (several of you might have even done a similar topic for Essay 1).
But consider also how other subjects you might be more interested have adapted with the times: vehicles, technology, political parties, weaponry, educational systems, medical care, and so on.
Once more, it’s extremely unlikely that you happen to find a source that provides insight about a certain topic throughout all of history, but you likely will be able to find sources that focus on one particular time and place (i.e. rock music in the 1960s, surgery and medical practice in the 1800s, WW2 era firearms, and so on).
So again, don’t feel like you need to provide a breakdown of multiple timelines, but see if you can find a solid example of a source that analyzes how the qualities of a certain topic were distinct in a specific time and place.
As always, feel free to utilize this assignment to research for your Essay 3 topic, but don’t feel like you need to have that figured out yet as well.
PROMPTS:
1. Cite your source in proper MLA format.
2. Summarize the thesis or stance that your source is taking on this topic. Provide a quote in proper in-text MLA format to support this summary.
3. Do you agree or disagree with this solution (or perspective on the issue in general)? Do you think their assessment of this issue/solution is accurate? Why or why not? Do you think there are any aspects that this source is overlooking or getting wrong? Why or why not?