Inquiry One
Remix Analysis and Close Reading
First Steps
This inquiry asks you to examine an online “remixed” text of your choice. Employing some of the close reading techniques we will practice in class, you should attempt to substantively engage with your text. Spend time with it. You may want to trace some of the texts invoked. How were the source texts originally used? How are they used now? What is the tone of the remix?
By answering some of these general questions, present a proposal to me (due 1/23 via Niihka blog). In the proposal, you should propose two texts you want to analyze. More specific details will be given closer to the proposal due date.
Writing the Analysis
Then, in a detailed analysis of 4 pages (standard format), you should attempt to offer a detailed, critical, and engaged close reading of the text. The inquiry should go beyond mere summary—it should also offer an argument based on your reading and interpretation of the text. As such, the bulk of your analysis should offer support for your thesis. In the end, perhaps your thesis might look something like this: In her remix, composer Kreisinger successfully critiques the male-dominated work culture of the 1960s by remixing clips of the AMC television show Mad Men with the Supremes song "You Keep Me Hanging On". By re-imagining Mad Men's female leads, Kreisinger offers a pithy critique of the contemporary marginalization of women in the workplace.
It might be useful to develop a specific question going into your analysis. Example questions include: Why does a particular juxtaposition work rhetorically? What themes (emotional, historical, intellectual, etc.) does a certain element of the remix invoke? How does repetition work rhetorically? How does the text appropriate other texts? Does the text “succeed” – why or why not? It might also be useful to zero-in on a specific aspect of the remix. For example, in a remix about gun control, why does the video composer use clips from Fox News?
Your close reading should do much of the following:
- Explain why the text you’re analyzing is a remix
- Engage the social/cultural/critical commentary the remix attempts to make
- Explore the various elements of the remix
- Describe what the juxtapositions suggest to viewers
- Formulate informed opinions as to why the composer chose the elements he or she chose
- Explore the rhetorical choices the composer makes
I know this writing prompt looks open. It's intentional. However, we'll talk about ways to organize your analysis and approaches to formulating your thesis in the days to come.
Important Dates
Proposal Due: Wednesday, Jan. 23
Rough Draft Due: Monday, Jan. 28
Final Draft Due: Monday, Feb. 4
Useful Websites
http://www.politicalremixvideo.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/rebelliouspixels?feature=watch
http://www.youtube.com/user/politicalremix
http://www.youtube.com/user/ikat381
http://www.popculturepirate.com/video-remixes/
Remix Analysis and Close Reading
First Steps
This inquiry asks you to examine an online “remixed” text of your choice. Employing some of the close reading techniques we will practice in class, you should attempt to substantively engage with your text. Spend time with it. You may want to trace some of the texts invoked. How were the source texts originally used? How are they used now? What is the tone of the remix?
By answering some of these general questions, present a proposal to me (due 1/23 via Niihka blog). In the proposal, you should propose two texts you want to analyze. More specific details will be given closer to the proposal due date.
Writing the Analysis
Then, in a detailed analysis of 4 pages (standard format), you should attempt to offer a detailed, critical, and engaged close reading of the text. The inquiry should go beyond mere summary—it should also offer an argument based on your reading and interpretation of the text. As such, the bulk of your analysis should offer support for your thesis. In the end, perhaps your thesis might look something like this: In her remix, composer Kreisinger successfully critiques the male-dominated work culture of the 1960s by remixing clips of the AMC television show Mad Men with the Supremes song "You Keep Me Hanging On". By re-imagining Mad Men's female leads, Kreisinger offers a pithy critique of the contemporary marginalization of women in the workplace.
It might be useful to develop a specific question going into your analysis. Example questions include: Why does a particular juxtaposition work rhetorically? What themes (emotional, historical, intellectual, etc.) does a certain element of the remix invoke? How does repetition work rhetorically? How does the text appropriate other texts? Does the text “succeed” – why or why not? It might also be useful to zero-in on a specific aspect of the remix. For example, in a remix about gun control, why does the video composer use clips from Fox News?
Your close reading should do much of the following:
- Explain why the text you’re analyzing is a remix
- Engage the social/cultural/critical commentary the remix attempts to make
- Explore the various elements of the remix
- Describe what the juxtapositions suggest to viewers
- Formulate informed opinions as to why the composer chose the elements he or she chose
- Explore the rhetorical choices the composer makes
I know this writing prompt looks open. It's intentional. However, we'll talk about ways to organize your analysis and approaches to formulating your thesis in the days to come.
Important Dates
Proposal Due: Wednesday, Jan. 23
Rough Draft Due: Monday, Jan. 28
Final Draft Due: Monday, Feb. 4
Useful Websites
http://www.politicalremixvideo.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/rebelliouspixels?feature=watch
http://www.youtube.com/user/politicalremix
http://www.youtube.com/user/ikat381
http://www.popculturepirate.com/video-remixes/