Soap Opera Genre Essay -- TV Television Media Essays

Soap Opera Genre "Before I saw Neighbours, I didn’t know there was an Australia" (Jerry Hall, The Clive James Show, UK, 31 December, 1989) The soap opera genre originated in American radio serials of the 1930s, and owes the name to the sponsorship of some of these programs by major soap powder companies. Proctor and Gamble and other soap companies were the most common sponsors, and soon the genre of 'soap opera' had been labeled. Like many television genres (e.g. news and quiz shows), the soap opera is a genre originally drawn from radio rather than film. Television soap operas are long-running serials traditionally based on the close study of personal relationships within the everyday life of its characters. Soaps are a consistent set of values based on personal relationships, on women’s responsibility for the maintenance of these relationships and the applicability of the family model to structures. In soap operas at least one story line is carried over from one episode to the next. S uccessful soaps may continue for many years: so new viewers have to be able to join in at any stage in the serial. In serials, the passage of time also appears to reflect 'real time' for the viewers: in long-running soaps the characters age as the viewers do. Christine Geraghty (1991, p. 11) notes that 'the longer they run the more impossible it seems to imagine them ending.' There are sometimes allusions to major topical events in the world outside the programs. Soap operas have attempted to articulate social change through issues of race, class and sexuality. In dealing with what are often perceived to be awkward issues soap operas make good stories along the emotional lines of the characters. Christine Geraghty (1991, p. 147) ‘While it seeks... ...stitute Curran, James & Michael Gurevitch (eds.) (1991): Mass Media and Society. London: Edward Arnold Dyer, Richard (ed.) (1981): Coronation Street. London: British Film Institute Turner, V (1974) Social Dramas and ritual metaphors In V.Turner, Dramas, fields and metaphors: symbolic action in human society Cornell University Press: Ithaca Hobson, Dorothy (1982): Crossroads - The Drama of a Soap. London: Methuen Modleski, Tania (1982): Loving with a Vengeance: Mass-Produced Fantasies for Women. Hamden, CT: Archon Morley, David (1992): Television Audiences and Cultural Studies. London: Routledge Coward, Rosalind (1987) Women’s Programmes: Why not? In Boxed in :Women and Television Edited by Baehr, Helen, and Dyer, Gillian Pandora Press Tulloch, John and Moron, Allen ‘Women Like Gossip’: The family audience in A Country Practice: ‘Quality Soap’

Retrospective Essay Essay

Part of growing as a writer is looking back at what you’ve done and seeing how far you’ve come. In order to grow, you need to be able recognize where you started and where you are now. You need to be able to see what areas you’re strong at; as well as, the areas you need to continue to improve upon. Starting out this semester, I didn’t know where I stood or where I could go next as a writer. Until now. I feel like I have grown as a writer even in the short amount of time spent in W131. I have been able to graze the surface of a few of the course goals, but I am well aware there is still a massive amount of room to grow and learn. One of the course goals is to explore and analyze ideas in order to write with a strong sense of ownership. I think that there is a difference between writing a paper and slapping your name on it and constructing a piece you can be proud of and want to put your name on it, so everyone knows that this was your work. With my first paper, I feel as if just completed the assignment and slapped my name at the top. I didn’t dive into the topic and really think about how this topic pertains to me. With the second paper, I sat down and reviewed my double sided entries, reread some of my highlighted points in Alone Together, and tried to really think about how the topic, technology, effected me and what my views were on it. I explored different routes I could take my paper. Analyzed what it would read like if I said I agreed with Turkle verses if I said Turkle’s ideas were silly and shouldn’t be taken seriously. I had to decide what my stance was and own it. I had to own up to my ideas and opinions in order to write the assignment. I think that was an improvement from the start of the course. I was confident when I turned in the second major writing assignment. I felt accomplished as a writer for turning in a complete piece opposed to just accomplishing an assignment. A goal that I didn’t even know I needed improvement on, is writing a thesis  and providing sufficient evidence to support it. Coming into the course, I thought I was proficient in this area. I thought my ideas were coming off as clear, concise, and colorful. After reading the reviews from my first paper, I realized my audience wanted more detail and description. My thesis is available and clear, but my audience was unsure of how I came to it. With my second paper, I tried to elaborate on different aspects to try to fulfill their requests. After my first peer review, I found out that I still had missed the mark. In class, I discussed my concerns with my peer reviewer to see what she thought I could further explain to make my paper stronger. She highlighted of few areas of concern and gave a few suggestions as to how I should go about fixing it. I think that I took her ideas into consideration and improved my paper. I think that although I did improve a little with this paper, that this is an area I struggle with and need to continue to work on. The area that I think I need the most work on is reflecting on my writing practices to improve them. While writing both papers for this course, I have had several different things going on simultaneously. Whether it was the T.V. on in the background, the dogs playing next to me, or even me just trying to eat some dinner, I could never fully devote my complete attention to just writing. This time around, I tried something different. I sat down with no interruptions and focused on my paper. I reread the outline, the course goals, and the fully attempted the planning guide. I tried to utilize the assistance given by the course and really tried to write on the topic truthfully. I had no distractions or what I had previously thought to just be helpful background noise. I think that although it might not drastically change my writing abilities right away, over time this will help me improve upon the entire course goals because I will be fully devoted to accomplishing each and every one of them. The final course goal that I feel I have really improved upon and will continue to improve upon is to shape, revise, and edit my writing in order to meet the purpose and needs of my audience. Starting out, I wasn’t very good at revising or changing my paper. I wasn’t open to others critiques and didn’t want to take them into consideration. But through different class  activities like peer review, cutting drafts, and discussions on free writes, I became more comfortable with the idea of revising. Like I said previously, with my first paper I thought I had revised enough and added enough detail to satisfy my readers. When I found out I hadn’t accomplished that, I had to take that into consideration for the next assignment. After reading my peer review for the second assignment, I really tried to soak in what my peer was saying needed to be fixed. My peer said that, like my first paper, this paper also lacked details. I went home and reread and reread my pa per trying to pinpoint where I needed to add or subtract. In the end, I feel like I add more detail effectively and made other revisions to improve my paper that strengthened it. Growing is a vital part of life, as well as, a vital part of writing. The world around is ever changing and growing. As a writer I need to also be constantly changing and finding ways to improve myself and my abilities. Throughout the rest of the W131 course, I hope to continue to grow as a writer. I hope to continue to work on my weakness and transform them into one of my strengths, but also to continue of making my strengths even stronger.

The Debate Over The Gun Control - 892 Words

One of the most debated and talked about issues going on today concerns gun control. There are many different aspects being brought up with concern to gun control. One of the biggest this past year especially here in Texas is the issue of allow-ing conceal carry on college campuses. College campuses are usually gun free zones, but with so many shootings happening on campuses some want to be allowed to carry. A lot of people are for infringing upon a person’s constitutional right to life and liberty and self-protection. They claim it will lead to more shootings. Starting in August, Texas will join seven other states in allowing hand guns on campus (Alford). The people that oppose conceal carry on campus believe this law will just open the door for more shootings on campus. Arguments against conceal carry on campus seem to hinge on that it is a different environment oppose to off campus (Welch). Clovis Community College president Becky Rowley has stated â€Å"the concern about a higher potential of an accident occurring due to jumpy students when feeling threatened† (Johnson). Additionally, some students will feel less safe knowing there is a chance someone in their class is carrying. If they feel unsafe and worried that any point someone may begin shooting, then they will not be able to concentrate on what they are actually there to do, get an education. This is very emotional topic; of where students are supposed to feel safe while getting and education, but the thoughtShow MoreRelatedThe Debate Over Gun Control1210 Words   |  5 Pagesnot be involved in gun control. The second amendment to the United state s constitution says A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. Is this not enough can the bill of rights say this anymore clear. Many might state that the way this statement is worded is the point of debate and it should be interpreted differently. This is the root of all the hot debate over gun control. Does the constitutionRead MoreThe Debate Over Gun Control1522 Words   |  7 PagesThe debate over gun control in America continues to trouble politicians to this day. According to the constitution, the second amendment gives us the right to bear arms (U.S. Const.). Many different interpretations of what precisely the amendment means exist in this country. However, the two main sides include pro gun control and against gun control. In this paper, we will weigh the pros and cons of both sides and with any luck approach a conclusion on what side performs a superior job. People interpretRead MoreThe Debate Over Gun Control3031 Words   |  13 PagesOne major cause of heated debate in the United States is the contrasting stands on gun control. This one subject has a nation divided on a very serious topic that saves and takes lives. On the one hand, those for gun control argue a case against increasing gun violence in everyday life. Those that are against gun control argue that it is in an individual’s right to own and possess guns. It is a matter of liberty and a right to bear arms and a necessity of self-protection. The problem with bothRead MoreThe Debate Over Gun Control889 Words   |  4 Pagesschool gangs, physical attacks, and fatalities involved with guns. School shootings have been on the rise over the past several years. To bring awareness to school violence, teachers, staff, and parents need to be further trained in noticing warning signs of depression and anger issues which may lead to bullying and disrespectful learning environments for all parties. In addition to awareness within schools, the debate over gun control has been a topic discussed for many years in hopes to curb schoolRead MoreThe Debate Over Gun Control1156 Words   |  5 Pagesyou have kept up with all the controversy in the news, then it is surely fair to assume that you have an opinion over gun control. Gun control is a big deal because with so many people having them it can make individuals feel unsafe to leave their home or possibly even be in their homes. There is also the fear that individuals possess on the other end of the spectrum that if their guns are taken, how they will protect themselves from people whom wish to harm them. These questions and concerns riseRead MoreThe Debate Over Gun Control1732 Words   |  7 Pages The topic of gun control has become very popular in recent years as there is now more controversy than ever about the role that guns play in today’s world. I have come to be interested in this topic because it seems like not a day goes by anymore where there isn’t a newspaper published with an article slandering either the pro or anti gun control activists. Going into this topic, I was assuming that I would end up reading about a lot of school shootings and h ow it is just guns that are causingRead MoreThe Debate Over Gun Control939 Words   |  4 PagesGun Control Close your eyes and relax. Imagine that you are in a time of 236 years ago, and imagine that you are one of the few people that had the privilege of writing the country’s constitution. It would not take long until you get to the second amendment. This amendment reads â€Å"A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed† (Davis). This amendment has extreme importance, and should not beRead MoreThe Debate Over Gun Control925 Words   |  4 PagesGun Control is a hot debate topic, where people have been divided into two different viewpoints. The majority of states has supported their colleges to carry guns in case of a mass shootout. While the majority of liberal and democratic oppose carrying guns onto school property. Some states such as Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin, and Mississippi has already passed the law to allowed students to carry c oncealed weapons on campuses to protect themselves from unwanted mass shootersRead MoreThe Debate Over Stricter Gun Control929 Words   |  4 Pages Gun Control in the United States The debate over stricter gun laws has been ongoing in the United States for quite some time now. Individuals who oppose stricter gun control laws argue that the second amendment to the constitution of the United States constitute part of the bill of rights that protect the right for American citizens to bear arms, and any attempt to set up laws for gun control will be a direct violation on this (Hofstadter 10). They argueRead MoreEssay about The Debate Over Gun Control1274 Words   |  6 Pages These people believe this because of the part of the Second Amendment that states, â€Å"The right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed.† People who are strong advocates against gun control use this part of the Second Amendment to drive their point across. Advocates against gun control believe that preserving the freedom of a state through a militia is not the only way it should be looked at, these people believe that the amendment also implies a clause that ta kes into account ones