No laughing matter

Instuctions

Before reading this document, please be sure that you have already read the document called

Persuasive Writing Instructions, located in the Week 5 module. Refer to that document for

general instructions about this assignment (essay length, MLA requirements, etc.).

Then, visit the No Laughing Matter sub-module. Keeping in mind what you have learned about

argumentation and persuasive writing from Successful College Composition, listen first to an

interview excerpt with a contemporary comedian named Ashley Nicole Black on the topic of

politically-controversial humor. After listening to that podcast, read the remaining articles inside

the No Laughing Matter sub-module.

The first is an article written for the BBC (Why Do People Find Racist Jokes Funny?) that

attempts to remain neutral on the topic, presenting perspectives at variance with one another

without incorporating too much commentary. In this way, it serves as a helpful introduction to

the topic.

The second and third articles (The Utility of Race Jokes and The Pain of the Watermelon

Joke) are argumentative in nature and take opposing views on the issue, one seeing race-based

humor as beneficial to society and the other seeing it as detrimental to society.

All of these articles are relevant and lucidly-written. My hope is that after reading them, you will

have a better sense of what is at stake in the debate while also feeling free to formulate your

own opinions. As an added bonus, you will see models of good argumentative writing.

When youre done reading the articles, the next step is to view the video montage No Laughing

Matter? Analyzing Race-Based Humor. The montage contains several clips featuring popular

comedians joking about race. Ive tried my best to keep the content as PG-13 as possible, but

apologies in advance for some minor expletives. The purpose of this video is to give the class

some fresh examples to work with, in light of the assigned articles.

Once youve finished reading the articles and viewing the video montage, you can begin

formulating your thesis statement. What do you think about the humor in the comedic clips? Are

the clips likely to influence our thinking in a beneficial or detrimental way? As a society, should

we embrace or reject this kind of humor, and why? Is race-based humor ever helpful or

appropriate? Can it be subversive? If so, under what conditions? Your response to these kinds

of questions will, essentially, inform your thesis statement for this essay. Your goal is then to

articulate that thesis clearly and concisely, whatever it is, and support it with sound

argumentation, logical reasoning, and textual evidence

*INSTUCTIONS FOR ESSAY!!

Five Paragraphs in Length

Your essay must have an engaging introduction with a clearly-defined thesis statement, three

body paragraphs, and a satisfying conclusion. Each body paragraph should devote itself to

arguing one facet of your thesis statement. So, in other words, you will need to come up with

three supporting points to argue why you feel the way you do about your topic. I recommend

that you draw up an outline containing your thesis statement and three supporting points before

beginning to write.

Textual Evidence

Your essay must contain at least three pieces of directly cited textual evidence, ideally one per

body paragraph. All of your textual evidence must come from the resources that I provided in

your topics sub-modulethe articles, podcasts, and videos, etc. I will not count any textual

evidence that comes from anything that I did not provide in Week 5. At least one of those

pieces of textual evidence needs to be a quote with which you disagree. This requirement

demands that you engage with your counterargument. The other two pieces of textual evidence

should be in support of your argument. Please cite all textual evidence according to MLA

standards, and include a works cited page on a separate document.

Audience and Tone

Remember your audience (me) and strive to maintain a professional and academic tone

throughout your essay. Avoid using potentially-offensive language. If you must cite an expletive

to make a point, try to abbreviate it in some way to soften its effect.

Grammar, Mechanics, and Style

Proofread your essay carefully to ensure that your argument comes through clearly. Avoiding

writing in the first person. Strive to vary your diction and syntax.

Due Date

Please submit your finished essay to the dropbox found in the Week 6 module and by the due

date indicated there. Please attach your Works Cited page to the same dropbox,

but as a

separate document.

• ALL TEXTUAL EVIDENCE MUST COME FROM THE ARTICLES LISTED IN THE INSTRUCTIONS