movie analysis

 

Essay Structure                    Introduction  (see CLAS Writing  an Introductions  handout) 

1. Opening Sentence/Hook  a. At a glance, the opening sentence should give the reader an idea of what  your paper will be about.  b. You can use an appropriate hook to grab your reader’s attention and  make them want to read more. 

2. Background  a. Give any information your reader may need leading up to your thesis. For  example, texts, events, and/or people you’ll be discussing, or the different sides  of the argument you will be discussing.  b. You don’t have to give too much detail; leave the juicy bits of evidence  and analysis for your body paragraphs. 

3. Thesis  a. The last sentence of your introduction should be a specific thesis  statement outlining your argument and how you will support it through the rest  of the paper (for more help, see the CLAS Thesis Statements handout). 

 

               Body Paragraphs  (as many as is  appropriate to  prove your point) 

1. Topic Sentence  a. Your topic sentence relates back to your thesis and identifies which  particular point of your argument the paragraph will discuss.  

2. Evidence  a. Focus on one or two pieces of evidence. (Your essay should include  ample and varying types of evidence, including primary and secondary  sources.)   b. Be sure to introduce, integrate, and cite all sources.  c. Organize evidence so that each piece builds off the one before. 

3. Analysis  a. Provide analysis for each piece of evidence, showing how it supports your  argument/thesis. Analysis should explicitly connect different pieces of evidence  to show how they support your main argument. 

4. Transition  a. Summarize the main point and transition to the next topic sentence.  

  

      Conclusion  (see CLAS  conclusions  handout) 

1. Restate Thesis  a. Summarize the argument of your paper and check to make sure it  matches your thesis in your introduction.  b. Don’t rewrite your thesis word for word. Rephrase it. 

2. Significance/”Big Picture”  a. Take your paper a step further by showing how it ties into a wider context  or is relevant to our daily life. 

 

 

  Outline Your Essay Structure