What’s an Exegesis?
Comm 1125 – Media Theory
An exegesis is a short explanation of a passage from a text. You look at the passage, you interpret it, and explain why it’s important. It’s a step up from just reading.
In practice, exegeses can look very different from one another. For the purposes of this class, here’s the formula I want you to use.
Product: A paper of no more than one 1 typed page (preferably double or at least 1.5 spaced, 12pt font, 1” margins).
Content:
1. A direct quote from the essay you are writing about. This should include a page number, so that other people can find it. If you are asked to pick the essay, then
2. An explanation of what the quote means, in your own words.
3. An explanation of the why the quote is an important part of the author’s overall argument. Where does the quote come in the argument? What is the author trying to do, in your opinion?
Exegeses will be graded on a plus-check-minus scale. A good exegesis picks an important passage, provides an interested and convincing interpretation, and explains why it’s important to the author’s argument. An excellent exegesis finds a major turning point in an author’s argument and excels in its explanation.
Your first exegesis is due Monday, the 19th of February, on John Peters' article.