Examples of Effective Uses of Class Readings in Papers

The best uses of class readings pull out main themes and concepts from the readings,
define them, and then show how these same themes or concepts are applicable across
different topics. Often, you do not need to discuss the actual topic of the article you are
citing because you are only interested in using the concept that the author is analyzing.
For instance, Levi uses hit men to analyze the concepts of frame breaks and reframing. To
use Levi, you can just pull out these concepts, rather than discussing hit men. Also,
always cite the author you are quoting after you use their concept, rather than waiting
until the end of the sentence. This form of citation makes clear what you are getting from
the reading, and what is your own analysis.

Here are several good models for using class readings:

In constructing social problems, it can be very effective to focus on children, whom

society views as “blameless, as well as priceless” (Best 1987: 110). Thus children are the
primary focus of Jesus Camp.

Goffman describes a frame break as an “occurrence which cannot be effectively ignored

and to which the frame cannot be applied, with resulting bewilderment and chagrin on
the part of the participant” (cited in Levi 1981: 56). [Becky] Fischer subjects her
campers to such an unforgettable occurrence during one of her sermons at camp.

Seeing an issue as absolute evil means that [moral crusaders] are likely to be “more
concerned with ends than with means” (Becker 1963: 150), going to whatever lengths
necessary to eliminate the problems they perceive. This description applies perfectly to
the view evangelical Christians have of secular society.

This “attempt to conceal their stigmatizing attributes,” termed “information control”

(Thompson 1999: 138), is one stigma management technique demonstrated by older men
considering suicide.

Liederbach states that a protective cloak “has shielded doctors from scrutiny and legal
accountability” and that this state has been achieved by the medical profession’s “high
social status, trustworthiness, and professional autonomy” (2006: 446). These three
attributes are easily applicable to the Catholic Church as it is depicted in Deliver Us
From Evil.