Pop Culture Shen Name: Popular Music and Youth Culture DBQ Essay Assignment: Using information from the documents provided, the material covered in class, and your knowledge of U.S. history, write a well-organized essay which answers the following question: In what ways do the music, art and films of the 1950s-early 1990s provide us with insight into the cultural and social change that was happening at the time? GENERAL REQUIREMENTS: The essay needs to follow the guidelines for an analytical, five-paragraph essay. It should have five paragraphs, an argumentative thesis statement, specific historical examples, and quotations. Length: 3-5 pages, double-spaced, typed, 1-inch margins, font size 12. Please use TIMES NEW ROMAN or something comparable. Please number your pages. You should have at least one DIRECT quotation in each body paragraph. Your evidence should be drawn from the readings, class work, and the documents provided. If you need sources beyond those given, you may use the L-S databases only (i.e., Pop Culture Universe, US History in Context, etc..) All sources should be properly cited (MLA) either a footnote or endnote. I am available for extra-help by appointment before school or during the day (blocks 1, 4, and 7). I am more than willing to discuss your ideas with you, talk through your outline, discuss a draft, etc., just let me know how I can help. You know where to find me. In-class work days: Thursday, May 15 th Friday, May 16 th Thesis statements and outlines due: By the end of class Thursday, May 15 th Final essays due: SENIORS: Friday, May 16 th (by the end of class) (Block 6) OR Tuesday, May 20 th (Block 5) JUNIORS: Wednesday, May 21 st THIS WILL BE YOUR LAST ESSAY OF THE YEAR - MAKE IT YOUR BEST!
Sources: Ø 1950s Youth reading & questions Ø History of Rock & Roll Powerpoint notes Ø Teenage Culture in Film notes Ø Introduction to the 1960s reading Ø 1960s Music Poster Project notes Ø Video Questions on Summer of Love Ø Psychedelic Movement Powerpoint notes Ø Art of the 1960s reading Ø Music with a message protest songs Powerpoint notes, individual notes on selected song Ø America in the 1970s VH1 Rock Docs: NY77 (film) Ø 1970s Overview reading & questions Ø Hip-hop Nation reading & questions Ø Debate notes & readings Ø Reading & questions on 80s and 90s youth Ø MTV Powerpoint notes Essay planning Step 1: Brainstorm A. What was happening in the 1950s through early 1990s? What were some of the cultural, political, social and economic trends or themes of the time? What was going on with youth in these times? B. What are some of the trends in the music industry at this time? Consider more than the music itself; also think about the entire music industry (artists, specific songs, styles of music, impact of music on other aspects of culture.) Step 2: Look over the brainstorm list. See if you can connect parts A and B. Where are there overlapping themes that you could use as a body paragraph? Make sure you choose three themes/trends which you know enough about and feel comfortable explaining in depth. Step 3: Gather evidence from your notes (homework readings, class notes, films, etc.) to support those themes. Be sure to include SPECIFIC, DETAILED evidence. Be sure to include the name of the handout/source/document title in your notes so that you can cite it later. Each paragraph should have a minimum of 3 detailed examples to illustrate the theme. Step 4: Write a thesis statement that addresses the question. Step 5: Start outlining your paragraphs. Outlines should include topic sentences (be sure they are analytic, meaning that they make a clear argument that supports the thesis.) List the evidence you plan to use. Be detailed, include references to which documents or sources you plan to use for each piece of evidence. Remember, you need to use a minimum of 1 quote per body paragraph. For those who sometimes struggle with analysis, I would encourage you to write a sentence analyzing each of your examples underneath the evidence. This will give you a chance to practice and me a chance to look it over to make sure that what you think is analysis, actually is.
Paragraph I (Introduction) What is the general topic of this essay? (Remember, you want to start your intro broad and get more narrow/focused as you go on.) What general information does the reader need about this topic? (What is the topic being discussed? What information is needed to give the reader enough background to understand the topic? This is where you cover the 5Ws.) THESIS: What will this essay explain and/or argue? (What is your specific thesis? Your thesis should contain the topics of your body paragraphs.)
Paragraph II (First Body Paragraph) What is the topic of this paragraph? (What specific point will this paragraph illustrate with three examples?) Sum up the topic/purpose of the paragraph in 1 sentence: What are the three examples that illustrate the specific topic? (Include the actual evidence, explain what each example shows AND how it supports your argument.) 1.) 2.) 3.) What statement wraps up this topic? (What conclusion can be drawn from the examples from the examples in this paragraph?) AND What phrase serves as a transition into the next paragraph? (How does the topic of this paragraph connect to the topic of the following paragraph?)
Paragraph III (Second Body Paragraph) What is the topic of this paragraph? (What specific point will this paragraph illustrate with three examples?) Sum up the topic/purpose of the paragraph in 1 sentence: What are the three examples that illustrate the specific topic? (Include the actual evidence, explain what each example shows AND how it supports your argument.) 1.) 2.) 3.) What statement wraps up this topic? (What conclusion can be drawn from the examples from the examples in this paragraph?) AND What phrase serves as a transition into the next paragraph? (How does the topic of this paragraph connect to the topic of the following paragraph?)
Paragraph IV (Third Body Paragraph) What is the topic of this paragraph? (What specific point will this paragraph illustrate with three examples?) Sum up the topic/purpose of the paragraph in 1 sentence: What are the three examples that illustrate the specific topic? (Include the actual evidence, explain what each example shows AND how it supports your argument.) 1.) 2.) 3.) What statement wraps up this topic? (What conclusion can be drawn from the examples from the examples in this paragraph?)
Paragraph V (Conclusion) What phrase serves as a transition from the body of the paper? What more can now be said about the ideas expressed in the thesis statement? (Restate, in new terms, the thesis statement. Then add further reflections.) What thought-provoking statement concludes the essay? So what? Why is the topic of this essay important? (How can you broaden the scope of your discussion?) How does the topic of the essay relate to later events/issues?