English 1301

Process

I suggest you first identify some of the major themes in the film. Observe rhetorical and formal elements that seem significant to you and reflect on how they contribute to one or more of the themes.

Once you have collected sufficient raw data, select one theme to explore in depth. Watch the film again, focusing on the theme you have selected. Stop the film frequently to write down your observations while they are fresh and to take note of scenes you may want to refer to in your essay.

Organize your notes into a unified, coherent draft that accomplishes everything listed in “Essay Form,” below. Write your supporting paragraphs before you start writing your overview.

It is often helpful to watch the film again at this point to test your hypothesis and discover additional evidence.

Use the strategies of the writing process to revise your essay for maximum impact.

Check your essay against this assignment and the rubric before you turn in your draft, your revision, or your final.

Essay Form

Introductory Paragraph

Use an effective hook to get the reader’s attention. Include the film’s title and director. State the director’s theme you will be evaluating. State your thesis in a clear, correct sentence that could stand independently.

Story Overview Paragraph

Give only the plot basics that are necessary for understanding your analysis, no spoilers. Plot points you need to include will depend on your thesis and support. This paragraph should be ten lines or FEWER. Not ten sentences, ten lines. Fewer is better.

Supporting Paragraphs (minimum of 2, probably more)

Analyze how the director develops a major theme. How do various elements contribute to or detract from that theme? Focus on a small number of rhetorical or formal elements (2 to 4). Organize your ideas into separate well-developed paragraphs that are unified and coherent.

Conclusion

Move the reader from your detailed analysis back to the big picture. The conclusion should complement the introduction. Read them together and ask yourself if they sound like they are from the same essay. Establish the significance of your essay and provide closure for your analysis.

Student Learning Objectives

This assignment addresses all the course SLOs. See the syllabus and the rubric for more detail.

Revised 10/1/2019