Final Paper

Answer one question

1. Drawing on what you have learned in the course (including the Jones book), write a postscript to the Salzman book that revises and extends its analysis. That is, what did the book miss, botch, or fail to anticipate?

2. On the National Mall last October, Stewart and Colbert held a “Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear” (http://www.rallytorestoresanity.com.) In light of what we have covered inclass (especially Salzman and Jones), explain:

• What were they trying to accomplish?
• How did they try to achieve their goals?
• To what extent did they succeed?
• What could they have done differently?

3. You are the press aide for a political figure who will appear on either Colbert or The Daily Show within the next two weeks. (Pick someone who has not yet appeared on this program for real.) Explain:

• Why would it be in this person’s interest to appear?
• How would you prepare this person for the interview?
• What has happened to comparable political figures who appeared on this program? What lessons can you draw from their experience?
• What questions would Stewart or Colbert ask? Why?
• How would you promote the appearance?
• How might the interview go badly? What would you do then?

Be specific in answering these questions.

• Exams should be typed, stapled, double-spaced, and no more than five pages long. I will not read past the fifth page..
• Cite your sources. You may use either endnotes or parenthetical references to a reference list. In either case, put your documentation in a standard format (e.g., Turabian or Chicago Manual of Style). The endnotes or reference sheet will not count against the page limit.
• Watch your spelling, grammar, diction, and punctuation. Errors will count against you.

Return exams to me no later than Monday, May 2. Papers will drop a grade point for one day’s lateness, a letter grade after that.