Final Exam Paper Comedy, Tragedy, Satire          

Due:  Thursday, May 18 in the upper school office.

Length:  7-10 pages, typed, double spaced, 1 inch margins

Directions:  write a paper in which you explore one of the following:  comedy, tragedy or satire.  Your paper will answer the question, “What comprises (characterizes, defines) this genre (comedy, tragedy or satire) today (late 20^th Century, early 21^st Century)?” 

Requirements:

·        A brief history of the genre including proper documentation from sources taken from both on and off the Internet.

·        A summary of commentary on the genre, properly documented (you may use the articles distributed in class).

·        An analysis of at least one (may use more) traditional work read in class (or any other English class) as illustration of the genre and its commentary (by “traditional” here I mean any work written prior to WWII).

·        Analysis of two or more contemporary works (post WWII) that you classify as examples of this genre, one of which was read or viewed in this class.

·        A description and analysis of one contemporary example of the genre found in a medium other than literature and film, for example a cartoon or a sitcom episode.

·        An analysis of the changes perceived in the genre from its conception to today citing examples from your chosen critiqued works.

·        Conclusion.

·        Bibliography of Works Cited and/or Consulted  in proper MLA format on separate sheet.

As this is an exam paper, please do not enlist the support of anyone to complete this paper.