Ex 3: Game Analysis 2
Choose any game that you know well; analyze and evaluate it, as Koster or Laurel might.
You will need to develop a thesis statement that makes a claim (like the one I made in the lecture, in which I argued that Pac-Man is a representation of the core values of a hunter-gatherer society). If you need a refresher, here is some background material on thesis statements. (All this should be familiar from your freshman comp classes.)
To "analyze" is to break down into its components in order to see how the parts work together. To "evaluate" you need to investigate and weigh not only the good and bad, but also examine what you mean by "good" or "bad," who gets to choose the words that carry value, and what those words mean.
Thus, I might say that a McDonalds advertisement is "good" because it is entertaining and sells burgers, but "bad" because it encourages unhealthy eating habits. Or I might say an educational video is "good" because it accurately conveys important information, but "bad" because it is poorly acted and shoddily produced. You and I might agree on all four of these statements, but disagree as to whether the "good" outweighs the "bad." You and I might agree, but for different reasons.
An academic study should seek out and investigate differences in opinion, not try to explain them away or pretend they don't exist.
Feel free to post your ideas here before you write your full exercise. I'll be happy to give whatever feedback I can.
You will need to develop a thesis statement that makes a claim (like the one I made in the lecture, in which I argued that Pac-Man is a representation of the core values of a hunter-gatherer society). If you need a refresher, here is some background material on thesis statements. (All this should be familiar from your freshman comp classes.)
To "analyze" is to break down into its components in order to see how the parts work together. To "evaluate" you need to investigate and weigh not only the good and bad, but also examine what you mean by "good" or "bad," who gets to choose the words that carry value, and what those words mean.
Thus, I might say that a McDonalds advertisement is "good" because it is entertaining and sells burgers, but "bad" because it encourages unhealthy eating habits. Or I might say an educational video is "good" because it accurately conveys important information, but "bad" because it is poorly acted and shoddily produced. You and I might agree on all four of these statements, but disagree as to whether the "good" outweighs the "bad." You and I might agree, but for different reasons.
An academic study should seek out and investigate differences in opinion, not try to explain them away or pretend they don't exist.
Feel free to post your ideas here before you write your full exercise. I'll be happy to give whatever feedback I can.
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Hi Dr. Jerz!
I am going to do my game analysis on the computer game, "Pharaoh." My initial thesis statement is going to be: The computer video game called “Pharaoh” allows the player to reenact those mind-boggling days in history. It is designed to let the player create a fun and interactive setting that can grow and develop. This game can be compared to a civilized nation such as present day Egypt. I was wondering if this would be a good thesis?
Thank you!
Derek, I'm sorry I didn't see this comment earlier but the topic sounds fine. Everything can be compared to everything, so saying "X can be compared to Y" is not specific enough to count as a thesis, but it's a good starting point.