MORN 102 - Humor

For this essay, you will be answering the question “Is it good or bad?” This is an evaluative argument where you create a list of criteria then use those criteria to determine if something is good or bad.

In this case, you will select something humorous (an essay, a cartoon, a television program, a film), explain your criteria (you have to convince your reader the criteria is logical and valuable), then illustrate how the comic “event” either works well or doesn’t.

Getting Started

1. Identify the subject you are evaluating and be able to describe it well.
2. Decide what criteria apply to your subject.
3. Determine the weighting of your criteria (what matters most).
4. Decide on a convincing arrangement for your paper (outlining).

This assignment requires an annotated bibliography. To learn more about annotated bibliographies, check out the video and links below:

Additional resources:

• Annotated Bibliography Samples (Purdue OWL)

Both librarians and the Writing Center can assist with citations. Depending on the required citation style, check out our library guides on citations:

• APA Citations (7th ed.)
• Chicago Citations (17th ed.)
• CSE (Council of Science Editors) Style Guide
• MLA Citations (8th ed.)

The EBSCO eBook collection includes titles covering many subjects. Click here to start searching for eBooks on your topic.

Some online sources for humorous essays, cartoons, etc.:

• The Onion
• SatireWire
• CollegeHumor
• Garfield Minus Garfield
• The Institute of Official Cheer
• Overheard in New York
• The Cagle Post (Political Cartoons)
• American Film Institute's 100 Funniest Movies