Final Film Critique: If Beale Street Could Talk

ENG 225 FINAL PAPER OUTLINE

Use this outline template to organize your ideas in preparation for your final paper in Week 5. You can cut and paste any information that you develop in this outline into your Week 5 paper.

Thesis: State your thesis. If you’re having trouble with developing your thesis, try using the Writing Center’s thesis generator tool. When you write your final paper, you’ll want to include your thesis in your introductory paragraph.

Introduction: Identify your selected film, including the writer, director, year of release, and genre. Briefly summarize the film in which you apply your knowledge of the difference between the film’s story and its plot. View the introductions and conclusions resource for help.

Body Paragraph 1: Describe one of the broad theories you have learned about in class (auteur theory, genre theory, formalist theory) and analyze your selected film through that lens. View the following tutorial for help with integrating research into your writing.

Body Paragraph 2: Evaluate the use of one specific technique and design element employed in the film as it contributes to the overarching narrative and theme of the film. This can include elements of mise en scène (e.g., lighting, sound, composition of frame, costuming, etc.) and editing (e.g., cuts and transitions, shots used, angles, etc.)

Body Paragraph 3: Evaluate the use of one specific technique and design element employed in the film as it contributes to the overarching narrative and theme of the film. This can include elements of mise en scène (e.g., lighting, sound, composition of frame, costuming, etc.) and editing (e.g., cuts and transitions, shots used, angles, etc.)

Body Paragraph 4: Evaluate the use of one specific technique and design element employed in the film as it contributes to the overarching narrative and theme of the film. This can include elements of mise en scène (e.g., lighting, sound, composition of frame, costuming, etc.) and editing (e.g., cuts and transitions, shots used, angles, etc.)

Body Paragraph 5: Describe the connection between this film and society (i.e., politically or culturally, positive or negative) and draw conclusions about its impact.

Conclusion: Briefly summarize the ideas expressed in the essay and the impact of your chosen film

References: List your three scholarly sources here in addition to your course textbook. View the templates below and the Writing Center’s APA Reference Guide for further help with formatting these sources:

Template for a Film:

Producer’s Last Name, Initials. (Producer), & Director’s Last Name, Initials. (Director). (Year).

Title of film [Motion picture]. Country: Studio or distributor.

Template for Scholarly Journal Article:

Author’s Last Name, Initials. (Year Published). Article title. Journal Name, Volume #(Issue #),

page range. doi: or Retrieved from http:// (journal’s homepage)

Template for Course eTextbook:

Author’s Last Name, Initials. (Year Published). Title of book: Subtitle of book. (edition, if other

than the first). [Type or version of eBook]. doi: or Retrieved from http://

For more help, please see our Writing an Academic Paper resource.

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