Comedy, the First person, & Empathy

Essay #4: Comedy, the first person, & empathy

English 110

Background: In this unit, we’ll watch two comedy specials that function as monologues and soliloquys: Hannah Gadsby’s “Nanette” and Hasan Minhaj’s “Homecoming King.” Both of these pieces are like first-person essays, or like memoir, combined with an artistic, deliberate visual performance. These comics use their comedy as a way to discuss difficult issues, like homophobia, sexual assault, racism, and class. We’ll also read critical essays on first-person writing itself, and consider how these theories can help us understand these comics’ messages.

Every choice the comic makes—what words they choose, their punchlines and repetition, their eye contact, their movement, their gestures—are all a part of their message. The way they tell their story is as important as the story itself. Their first-person narrative and performance help us, the audience, feel empathy for the speaker in different ways, and help us accept difficult issues that we might not accept otherwise.

Learning Goals: Your goal for this essay is to expand your knowledge of close reading of literary elements (essay #1), analysis of broader themes and structures (essay #2), integrating a real-world lens (essay #3), and combine all of these skills into one coherent, analytical argument.

The task:

Choose one of the comedians from this unit, and then write a 1,500-word essay answering the following questions:

1. What is the message of this monologue/soliloquy?
2. How does their form of the monologue/soliloquy help the reader to feel empathy and accept this difficult idea?

How to do it: More detail

You will be considering how the comedians in this unit use first-person narration to convey their message. Remember to analyze means to break down. You should treat your chosen monologue/soliloquy the way you would any of the pieces we’ve read this semester, and consider how the different tools the comic uses come together to create meaning.

For your thesis: This is another way of asking about the theme of the piece! But in this case, you’re specifically considering the relationship between how they tell their first-person story, empathy, and their message.

For your body paragraphs: Consider the tools the comics use/the elements of the comedy routine, both verbal and visual (specifically, metaphors and similes, structure, pacing, word choice, tone, posture, facial expressions, visual elements, gestures, etc.) and how each allows us to develop empathy and connect with the speaker in order to accept their idea.

Audience: Consider your reader as someone not in our class. They will need context and explanation for who your comic is, what their special is about, and any key terms you’re using.

Outside Source Requirement:

For this essay, please integrate at least one of the critical sources on first-person narratives we discuss in class/I provide for you to help support your argument about the comic’s message. Your source should be integrated in a meaningful way, rather than just thrown in as a single quote. (more on next page)

Need help? Review my lecture videos, your homework and prewriting assignments, and make an appointment at the writing center, or with me! I’m happy to help.

Requirements (what to do to pass)

(A essays do these things very well and are highly polished)

• 1,500 words minimum
• Demonstrate your analysis and close reading skills throughout
• Demonstrate knowledge of literary elements
• Include a compelling introduction that includes a hook, introduces your chosen piece, and includes a thesis
• Include evidence—each body paragraph should include at least one quote from either your chosen comic or a critical source
• Meaningfully include at least one critical source
• Includes a conclusion that answers the “and now what?” question
• Be thoroughly proofread (especially for homonyms and lowercase i’s)
• Demonstrate knowledge of sentence boundaries
• Demonstrate deliberate paragraphing choices (one main idea per paragraph)
• Include a title
• Use a 12-point, readable font
• Be double-spaced
• Include page numbers
• Include an MLA Works Cited page
• Be original work—As stated on the syllabus: You may not pay someone else to write your essay. You may not Google what others have said about the comic and use that to come up with ideas. All ideas must be your own. Our class time will help you generate your own ideas! You must write your paper yourself. Consulting sources that specifically discuss the comic, in physical print or online, will be considered cheating unless it is properly and judiciously documented.