Film Critique

Requirements:

· Typed document of at least 2 pages (using 1” margins and 12 point double-spaced type) on the selected film shown in class.

· A copy of your paper sent to my e-mail address ([email protected]) before you come to class on the due date.

· The critique should include the name, director, and year the movie was released either at the top of the page or within the paper.

· Film titles should be listed in either italics or “quotes” each time the title is referenced.

· Significant characters must be correctly spelled and must list in parentheses the actor portraying the character.

· You only need to include the actors’ names once in the paper, when you introduce the character for the first time.

· Use actors or characters’ first and last names the first time they are introduced, then only use their last name (unless multiple characters have the same last name and it would be confusing).

The Critique:

· What I am looking for you to do is to critically examine the film:

· By focusing on one aspect of the film-- the lighting, plot, character development, costumes, etc. OR

· By speaking of the overall contributions of the film.

· In either case, it is recommended to connect material in the film with subjects discussed during lecture or in the book.

· The most important question you can ask yourself is why?-- Why is the character development weak? Why does the plot work/not work?

· It does not matter whether I agree with your point or not, but it is important that you construct a valid, strong argument in your critique.

· Make sure that each paragraph has a topic sentence and that the critique has a central theme that is followed throughout.

Tips:

· A great resource for looking up information on your selected film is www.imdb.com or use the app on your phone/tablet.

· Keep in mind that you are NOT writing a film review, but a fully constructed analysis.

· An “A” paper is going to start with a strong topic sentence and build upon a definitive argument before giving a brief summary and conclusion.

· Watch your use of clichés, if you must use a cliché in your paper, be sure to include it in quotes.

· When you make a point supporting your argument, be sure to include examples from the film.

· DO NOT give me a summary of the film’s plot, I have already seen the films and know the plot.

· If a portion of the plot is critical to your argument then by all means include it, BUT your use of the plot should clearly be supporting your argument.

· You may refer to other films to help support your argument, but keep in mind that your argument centers on the film you are critiquing.

· CITE any sources in endnotes, footnotes, or parenthetical notes with a bibliography.

· I will be submitting your papers to turnitin.com to check for plagiarism.

· If you include observations that are not “general knowledge” or that are not your own conclusions, then you MUST tell me where it came from.

· Even if this is your paraphrase of someone else’s ideas IT NEEDS TO BE NOTED.

· If you provide information which I know is not your own and you do not provide proper citation, you will earn a 0 on the assignment.

· MAKE SURE YOU PROOFREAD YOUR PAPER.-- A paper full of misspelled words or vague awkward sentences DOES interfere with your overall argument and will be graded accordingly.