Each group of three listed below is designated by a letter in the left-hand column. Twenty-four hours before the essays are due, the letter for your assigned group will be posted next to your name on our class roll.)
| Group |
Prompts |
| A |
- Has the TV remote control device been a blessing or a curse? Discuss.
- If you could be a fictional character who could walk off the page of a book, what character would you become and what would you do? Explain.
- Discuss the influence that advertising has had on your life or the lives of your friends.
|
| B |
- What would it take to make you give up TV? Explain.
- Do you still go to movie theaters despite the availability of television movies and DVD’s? Why or why not?
- When was the last time you changed your mind about something after reading a book or article or listening to a debate? Explain what happened.
|
| C |
- Many educators are now looking to computers as the key to improving education. Are there limits to what computers can do to teach our children? Discuss.
- Explain why you would or would not recommend a movie you saw recently.
- In general, do movies and/or television programs provide a realistic picture of life in America? Explain.
|
| D |
- Can computers and the personal information stored in them jeopardize our right to privacy? Discuss.
- What types of movies do you prefer? Explain.
- What are the characteristics of an effective television newscaster? Explain.
|
| E |
- Will computers ever completely replace books? Discuss.
- How useful is the movie rating system? Explain.
- Some television series (such as M.A.S.H., The Andy Griffith Show and Seinfeld) have enjoyed a long life both in production and in reruns. Explain why.
|
| F |
- Should computer literacy be required of all college students? Discuss why or why not.
- How do you account for the popular appeal of murder mysteries (in novels, movies, and/or TV dramas)?
- Explain how a television show, movie, commercial or popular song stereotypes a group of people.
|
| G |
- Should content on the Internet be regulated? Why or why not?
- Has television brought members of the family together? Discuss.
- Discuss the qualities of a good movie.
|
| H |
- With news readily available from the electronic media, why are newspapers still popular? Discuss.
- It has been said that computers are taking over our lives. Do you agree or disagree? Explain.
- Should tax dollars be used to subsidize public television and radio broadcasts? Discuss.
|
| I |
- Should the advertisement of alcoholic beverages be banned from television? Discuss.
- Name the worst movie or television program you have ever seen, and explain why you dislike it.
- Discuss the images of men presented in recent movies and television shows.
|
| J |
- Would you be better off if you didn't own a television set? Discuss.
- What are the chief reasons for young people's interest in music videos? Explain.
- Which is more useful, email or the World Wide Web? Discuss.
|
| K |
- If you were forced to live without television, how would you spend the time you normally spend watching TV? Discuss.
- Do you believe that radio will continue to be popular in the age of the Internet and portable music players? Discuss.
- Why are movies and television shows about actual crimes so popular today? Discuss.
|
| L |
- How effective is television in disseminating news? Explain.
- Describe the way a television show presents a particular occupation and discuss the accuracy of the portrayal.
- If you were alone for a week, what books (or music) would you select to read (or listen to)? Discuss.
|
| M |
- According to studies, the average American watches television as much as six hours a day. Why do Americans watch so much television? Discuss.
- Discuss the image of women presented in music videos.
- If you had to give up one of them, would you rather live without a personal computer or a mobile phone? Discuss.
|
| N |
- Watching the "soaps" has become an American pastime. Why are these television shows so popular?
- Discuss the images of minorities or women presented in recent movies and television shows.
- Pick one type of music that is currently very popular and explain why it is popular.
|
| O |
- Why do you believe radio has continued to be popular in the age of television? Discuss.
- Is it ethical to download copies of music and movies that you have not paid for? Discuss.
- What type of music do you prefer? Why?
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