Paper Requirements:
Compare and contrast two family sitcom TV shows – one from the 1950’s, 1960’s, or 1970’s and one from today (2000 and later). Discuss how
they are similar and/or different in values presented and family roles.
Your thesis and overall purpose of the paper should prove how the two family shows reflect and influence values and family roles. Are the
sitcoms a reflection of society or do they influence society?
In the paper, you will compare and/or contrast the two TV shows to enlighten readers about both. The specific points of similarity and
difference will be important, but you will go beyond them to draw a conclusion from your analysis of the shows. This conclusion, your
thesis, needs to be more than “point A is different from point B” or “I prefer subject B to subject A.” You have to explain why you have
drawn your conclusion about the shows.
You’ll also need to provide specific supporting evidence to explain your position and to convince your readers of its soundness. The
evidence will be taken from the shows. You might write an impartial paper that distinctly portrays both subjects, or you might show why
you favor one over the other.
Popular 1950, 1960, an 1970’s family sitcoms
-Leave it to Beaver
-I love Lucy
-Bewitched
– Dennis the Menace
– Good Times
-The Jeffersons
-Sanford & Son
-The Brady Bunch
-Happy Days
-Mash
-Three’s Company
-I Dream of Jeannie
-The Addams Family
-Andy Griffith Show
-Beverly Hillbillies
-The Munsters
– There are two comparison-contrast methods. You should only pick one for your paper.
o Review the comparison-contrast PowerPoint for help
– The paper should be 800-1000 words
– You will not use outside sources, except the television shows
– The paper should be times new roman, 12 point font, and double spaced.
– Paragraphs should have one topic sentence
– Underline your thesis statement and topic sentences
– Works Cited Page (for the two shows)
o This website is also useful: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/12/ (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
o Or, you can use easybib.com
1301 Paper guidelines
1.All papers need an introduction. An introduction is the first impression you give your readers; it is also the place you provide a
thesis or road map for the rest of your paper.
2.The introductory paragraph should have a thesis statement.
3.A thesis should be 1-2 sentences long. Review the thesis powerpoint and the thesis chapter in your textbook for more guidelines.
4.Thesis statements should reflect: 1. The main idea of the paper 2. your slant or perspective on the advertisements.
Basic formula for a thesis statement:
a Specific topic + Attitude/Angle/Argument = Thesis
b What you plan to argue + How you plan to argue it = Thesis
5.Paragraphs need topic sentences. Each paragraph and topic sentence should support the thesis.
6.Be conscientious of your word choice and how it affects the tone in your paper. Do not use first or second person pronouns. Words such
as you, your, we, our, me, my, us, and I do not belong in formal academic papers.
7.Never, ever use I in a paper for my class.
8.Paragraphs should be at least 4-6 sentences long.
9.A strong conclusion, never says “in conclusion” It is a clichéd way to end a paper. Instead, you ending paragraph should wrap up your
analysis, effectively conveying to you audience that the paper’s argument is ending.
10.Every paper assignment in my class should be written according to MLA style guide. This is not the exception but the norm. The purpose
of MLA style guide is to provide the basic rules necessary for writing papers that are consistent in style and formatting and that respect
the intellectual property rights of experts whose material you refer to in your formal papers. If you are confused by this requirement,
view the attachment, “how to format papers.”
11.Students are not allowed to use outside sources for essays; unless, it is noted otherwise on the paper prompt. Review each specific
paper prompt for clarification. When in doubt, email the instructor.