MCM510: Media Project

Your assignment is to choose a major topic from the semester (see the topic column on the course schedule) and then write about a sub-topic within that broader area.  For example, you could choose social media and then within that broader area, choose Twitter.  Already in class we have discussed possible project ideas and explored a variety of possible topic areas.  The task now is to finalize choices and complete your media project.

Organization of the Paper

Your paper should have the following structure: tell your audience what you are going to tell them, tell them and then tell them what you have told them.  That is, your paper should have a good introduction, body and conclusion.  More specifically, in the introductory paragraph(s) of your paper you should identify and introduce your chosen topic and sub-topic and clearly state the thesis of your paper.  Put the thesis in boldface. The body of the paper should address relevant aspects of your chosen sub-topic as it relates to your thesis.  The conclusion of your paper should summarize your key points and return to addressing your thesis.  The paper should include headers which clearly indicate the sections of your paper.  The paper should be between 1500 and 1800 words in length, not including references.

References

You are required to indicate what information you have gathered from sources and from where you have gathered the information.  Properly cite your sources within the paper and have properly formatted reference section at the end of your paper.  Use APA style for your citations and references. Make sure included web links are working properly.  Re-read the section of the syllabus regarding plagiarism.  There should be no more than 30 words (total) of quotes in your paper from references.   The paper should use at least six different references.  Two of the references may be course readings.

Submitting Your Work

Your thesis, a very brief outline and a list of some of your references are due via email to your professor by November 3rd by noon.  This email should be sent from your NSU email account and the subject line should be “MCM510 Thesis, Etc.”. The thesis and outline given in this email  should be for the most part what is in the final paper.  Only slight alterations will be acceptable.

At the very beginning of class (5 p.m..) on December 1st submit a hardcopy of your paper.  Also, email a copy of the exact same paper as an attachment to your professor by 4 p.m. on December 1st.  The paper should be emailed from your NSU email account and the subject line should be “MCM510 Paper”.  See syllabus regarding late work.  The paper should be written in Microsoft Word and be in 12 point Times New Roman font with 1 inch margins.  The paper should be single-spaced.    

Submitting Early

The paper may be passed in early.  For each day early, 2 points will be added to the overall score.  A maximum of 20 points can be earned for passing the paper in early.  If passing in early, pass in the hard copy at the beginning of class or during office hours. Plan accordingly.  Email the proposal at least 30 minutes before passing in hard copy.

Grading

Your paper will be scored based on how well you follow the above instructions and show proper understanding of course content.  Ask questions well in advance, if you have them.

Of course, your paper should be well organized and free of spelling and grammatical errors.

This paper assignment is worth 200 points.

Alternative to Paper

If you are interested in doing this project by presenting it in a different form (e.g. video), instead of a paper, then email your professor to determine if your approach would be approved.  Any alterations to the above instructions must be in writing (i.e., in email).  The alterations and the instructions for those alterations must be approved via email by October 24th, noon.

Note: This assignment may be modified as the semester progresses. Pay close attention to emails and in-class announcements.