Representations of Racism, Policing, or Immigration in Film PEER EDITING DRAFT

Constructing Your Analytic Essay

Thesis

◦ Every thesis should have two parts: FOCUS + ARGUABLE ASSERTION

◦ FOCUS: The aspect of the film you are concentrating on

◦ ARGUABLE ASSERTION: Your argument as to the MEANING of the film, what you think the author is saying about the U.S., etc.

◦ Basic Template: “By [FOCUS], [Director’s Name] suggests [ARGUABLE ASSERTION].”

Focus ◦ Again, the aspect of the film you are concentrating on.

◦ This could be technical. Example: “Through the use of documentary-style cinematography…”

◦ But it is more likely that your focus will be THEMATIC or concerning a specific set of CHARACTERS or NARRATIVE THREAD.

◦ Thematic Example: “By depicting the connection between cultural appropriation and the legacy of slavery…”

◦ Character/ Narrative Thread Example: “By emphasizing the similarities between Anthony and Brianna’s father…

Arguable Assertion Pt. 1 ◦ This is the tricky part.

◦ An Arguable Assertion must be ARGUABLE.

◦ That means it must be something that can be DISAGREED WITH by a reasonable person.

◦ Imagine (or try if possible) handing your Arguable Assertion to a Random Person who has seen the film but not read your paper.

◦ If this person automatically agrees with your Arguable Assertion without having to hear anymore of your argument, the odds are good that your thesis is NOT ARGUABLE.

Arguable Assertion Pt. 2: What is NOT Arguable

◦ FACTS or a DESCRIPTION of what basically happens or is stated in the film. ◦ Example: “By [Focus], Nia DaCosta suggests that Black Americans are

disproportionately affected by violence…” ◦ Example: “By [Focus], Nia DaCosta suggests that gentrification is a force

destroying low-income communities…” ◦ Example: “By [Focus], Jordan Peele suggests many white Americans consider

being Black as fashionable…” ◦ Example: “By [Focus], Jordan Peele suggests many white Americans desire to

be Black…”

What is NOT Arguable Cont.

◦ An assertion stated so BROADLY that almost anyone who has seen the film would automatically agree with it.

◦ Example: “Through [Focus], Jordan Peele suggests racism still exists.”

◦ Example: “Through [Focus], Nia DaCosta suggests that racist trauma continues to impact communities.”

A Pause for Emphasis ◦ If your working thesis is similar to either of the two examples I’ve just offered,

it must be revised. You do NOT have a true Arguable Assertion. ◦ In particular, watch out for any variations of this thesis: “Through [Focus],

Jordan Peele suggests racism still exists.” ◦ Any reasonable person who sees Get Out understands that the film is

referencing racism in the U.S. So, if your thesis looks anything like this example, odds are good that you do NOT have a true Arguable Assertion. ◦ The Get Out conundrum: Peele’s social commentary is so clearly visible to a

viewer that it can be difficult to find a truly ARGUABLE thesis which can be DISAGREED with by a reasonable person.

Making an Inarguable Assertion ARGUABLE

◦ There’s no single method for this, but most commonly the trick is to be MORE SPECIFIC. ◦ So, if your interest is DaCosta’s depiction of gentrification or Peele’s depiction

of racism, you need to DELVE DEEPER into the subject, and come up with MORE SPECIFIC assertion that could be disagreed with by a reasonable person who hasn’t yet heard your argument. ◦ To repeat, if a reasonable person would automatically agree with your thesis’s

Arguable Assertion without having to read your paper, your thesis is most likely NOT ARGUABLE.

Constructing Your Body Paragraphs

◦ You need to construct your entire essay around ARGUMENT rather than SUMMARY or DESCRIPTION.

◦ The trick here is to use TOPIC SENTENCES to do this.

◦ Your TOPIC SENTENCES need to make ARGUABLE POINTS which support the thesis’s ARGUABLE ASSERTION about what the DIRECTOR is saying about the U.S., etc.

Topic Sentences: What NOT To Do

◦ Your topic sentence should NOT be SUMMARY or DESCRIPTION.

◦ Body Paragraphs should NOT begin like this: “Anthony begins to see the image of Sherman in the mirror.” “Chris’s girlfriend brings him home to meet her family.”

◦ In general, do NOT use a character as the subject of your Topic Sentences.

Topic Sentences: What TO Do

◦ Use the DIRECTOR as the subject of your topic sentences.

◦ Make the topic sentences a statement of what the director is SAYING through her/his/their choices.

◦ Again, every TOPIC SENTENCE needs to make an ARGUABLE POINT which support the thesis’s ARGUABLE ASSERTION about what the DIRECTOR is saying about the U.S., etc.

◦ By doing this, you are structuring your essay around ARGUMENT.

The Need for Concrete Evidence

◦ Every Body Paragraph requires CONCRETE EVIDENCE which supports and proves the Topic Sentence’s ARGUABLE POINT.

◦ Summary of scenes and plot details may be necessary but SUMMARY IS NOT CONCRETE EVIDENCE. You can include it when needed, but it needs to be balanced with concrete evidence.

◦ CONCRETE EVIDENCE means SPECIFICS: Quotes from dialogue or very specific description of the visual (shots) or audio (music or sound effects).

Every Body Paragraph Should Offer Concrete Evidence

◦ As a general rule, you should include a minimum of one short QUOTE from the film’s dialogue in EVERY Body Paragraph.

◦ I’m posting this slideshow to Canvas as a PDF. Please consult while you are composing and/or revising your essay.