For this assignment, my task was to write a researched critical analysis about a series that dealt with “otherness.” When searching for a subject to write about, Netflix’s 2018 Maniac was my first choice because it dealt with “otherness,” particularly mental illness, in a positive and realistic way. Maniac’s depiction of mental illness was something that I found refreshing and different from other TV shows, and it made me wonder how other shows treat mental illness in comparison. After visiting the library and learning how to access research from City College’s databases, I read many articles that discussed the issue of mental illness stigma in the media. This research became crucial as supportive evidence for my argument that Maniac was successful because it avoided common mental illness stereotypes. While writing this paper, I made sure to employ the many rhetorical elements I had learned throughout this course and also apply the knowledge I gained about writing research papers—such as avoiding plagiarism and properly incorporating reliable sources.
A part of my research paper that underwent a lot of revision was my counterargument. After reading some comments from my peers about strengthening my counterargument, it was revised several times to ensure that it would successfully persuade readers into agreeing with my point of view. In order to do this, I made sure to employ the rhetorical techniques of ethos, pathos and logos. Since there was a plethora of scientific research used to support my argument that mental illness in the media has negative implications, the credibility of my argument was strong, therefore fulfilling ethos. However, there was still a lack of pathos and logos which, after several revisions, I was able to add as well. I achieved this by defending my argument from different angles. For example, I brought up the argument that although the media might not be responsible for educating the public, it is morally responsible for not harming its audience, which it in fact does by reinforcing negative stereotypes. By including research that shows how mental illness stigma directly harms innocent people with mental illness, I hopefully influenced readers to feel sympathy for those affected by stereotypes, therefore utilizing pathos. In order to employ logos in my counterargument, I pointed out that it is illogical for shows to perpetuate negative stereotypes of mental illness if shows like Maniac are successful despite avoiding them.
Another major aspect of my critical analysis essay included searching and evaluating sources, which is an ability I practiced and improved on during this course, specifically after a few class visits to the library where we learned how to identify the credibility of sources. Additionally, I learned how to write MLA format in-text citations and citations for my works cited page by using online OWL Purdue templates as a guide. Lastly, I made sure to apply the knowledge I learned in class about avoiding plagiarism in my paper. Each time I wrote about an idea that I learned from another author, I made sure to properly cite the source, even if I had paraphrased it in my own words. This also applies to full quotes taken from outside sources.
Ultimately, writing this critical analysis, which was more research intensive than other assignments, was a process made easier with the help of peers who helped me to revise my argument, and techniques that were taught in this course that helped me to incorporate rhetorical elements and properly utilize outside sources. These writing strategies, although useful for this research assignment, will continue to be helpful in all works of writing that I create in the future.
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