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LTEA 120C Essay Writing Tips and Feedback

1. Create a title page that features your name, the name of the course, the date, and the title of your paper. Give your paper a title that encapsulates the essence and findings of your textual reading and analysis. Be bold! Don’tjust write “Analysis of Film x.” Also, be sure to include either the title or the author of the text(s) you are going to discuss, or both. The idea is to let your reader know what your paper is about, in a concise way.

2. Articulate your central thesis / argument at the top of your paper in your introduction, and make it as specific and concrete as possible. Create an introduction that is a true “road map” for the reader. Make it specific to then show HOW your argument is true in the text. The more specific and well-rounded the argument, the more substantial and analytical the paper will be.

3. Structure your paper in an analytical, not a descriptive way. This means that your outline should consist of a central argument, and a list of analytical points which serve to substantiate your central argument / thesis. Aim to introduce, explain and prove each analytical point by means of careful film analysis. Cite evidence from the film when relevant to support and illustrate an analytical point you are making.

4. Discuss not only the plot / content / the “what” of the film but also the visual and cinematic strategies the filmmaker uses - the “how” of the film. Focus on the tools and techniques filmmakers use to convey meaning in their works. Be less descriptive and more analytical.

5. Do showcase your knowledge of a given filmmaker, film and context, and provide some important relevant information to your reader In this way, you show that you are educated about the significance of the film you are examining, and can contribute to discourse about it. However, keep this information to a minimum, since your main purpose is to provide a new analytical reading of a limited body of films, not a re-hashing of background or facts we already know.

6. When writing about any film, always use the present tense! This is true for fictional stories, essays, poems, and films, as visual works of art. This is necessary because you are discussing a text or work of art that still exists today. When discussing events in historical time or in a person’s “real” life, use the past tense.

7. Proofread your paper! Be precise and exact in the way you use language to express yourself. Keep in mind your imaginary reader and write as clearly as possible for this reader. Re-read sentences out loud and ask yourself: 1. Is the sentence grammatically

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correct?; 2. Do words agree and are commas placed correctly?; 3. Are there any unnecessary words? Less is best!; 4. Is the meaning as clear as possible?

8. Avoid using the passive voice! If you use it, have a clear reason for using it.

9. Use firm, assertive language in your essay, and clearly define the argument and analytical points that you will prove and substantiate. Do not use weak speculative words such as “perhaps,” “maybe,” or “it could be said that…” Dare to make a clear, specific assertion/argument, and then prove it systematically.

10. Using the personal pronoun “I” in a paper is ok. However, you should not overdo it and use it judiciously when you want to emphasize a personal point of view or opinion. Most of the time, you should avoid using it.

11. Regarding format: a. Make sure that your paper is well-organized and has a clear, well-defined

Introduction, Body ofAnalysis, and Conclusion. b. Always include the dates for key figures when you first mention them in the

paper. Include the date of first publication for key texts and other works when you first mention them.

c. Always provide citations in correct citation format. Review MLA and Chicago Manual of Style citation formats, and use one of these formats consistently for in- text / footnote citations and for the bibliography.

d. Italics and “quotation marks:” italics are used for books and films; “quotation marks” are used for short stories, essays, poems and other shorter texts. Underline is almost never used today.

e. Commas and periods are always inside quotation marks.

12. Regarding Citations: a. Use MLA in-text citation style, including only the author’s last name and page

number without a comma: i.e.: (Abbas 150) or (Kam 25) b. Present complete, correctly formatted bibliographical information for each source

in the List ofWorks Cited. c. When quoting text, consider it as textual evidence, and discuss it analytically, so

that it may help to illustrate and substantiate your specific analytical points, as well as your central argument overall. Do not let the quotes speak for themselves!

d. When citing films, review and use the correct MLA format for citing films that is posted on Canvas. Example: In-Text Citation: (Enter the Dragon 29:45 – 32:37), List ofWorks Cited: Enter the Dragon. Directed by Robert Clouse. Sequoia Pictures, 1973.

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Writing Tips for Students in Literature Classes

The Introductory Paragraph and Argument / Thesis

Your central argument should be clear and specific, not general, broad or vague. The best way to craft a clear and concrete argument that you can actually prove and substantiate by means of text analysis is base it on the text(s) you are examining. Clearly state what you intend to argue regarding a given text, and how your argument is true. In your introductory paragraph, you could state a few key critical points as part of your argument, which you will then proceed to prove and substantiate in the body of your paper. Your introductory paragraph should clearly articulate the sources / texts you are focusing on, your exact argument about these sources, and the key insights your paper will show. In this way, you will also provide your reader a “road map” for your reader.

The Analysis of Primary Texts

A critical, close reading of one or several primary sources (texts) will serve as the proof and substantiation of the argument you articulated in your introduction. This analysis should be carefully organized according to the key points you are making. In other words, you should illustrate each substantial critical point by close reading and evidence from the text(s) under discussion.

You should keep narration and plot description to a minimum, as you can assume that the reader is already familiar with the text you are discussing. Instead of such descriptive writing regarding the plot (the “what”) of the story, focus on the literary, cinematic and aesthetic qualities and techniques (the “how” of the text) to illustrate how it functions as a work of art. In this class, we are analyzing primarily literature (especially fiction) and film, so it is important to think about and examine the aesthetic dimensions and effects of any given source.

Using and Engaging Secondary Sources

It is important to think about, engage and build upon relevant secondary sources. In order to do this, it is important to accurately quote and/or cite text from secondary sources. You must be careful to distinguish your own voice from another scholar’s voice and to never appropriate another’s ideas, even while you cite and engage these ideas. It is also important to reveal your own critical thoughts about any text you cite, rather than letting quotes standby themselves. Always examine, critically evaluate and “apply” other scholars’ ideas with respect to your argument and text analysis.

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Format and Style

Always use the active voice and avoid the passive voice as much as possible. Also, use the present tense when discussing works of literature, film or art. Use the past tense only when referring to historical or political events that actually took place. Use the first person pronoun sparingly but, if you choose to use it, be assertive and say “I argue….,” rather than “I would argue….” Write in an engaging, direct and concise style, and eliminate all unnecessary words, so as to communicate your points to the reader as clearly as possible. Avoid all colloquialisms and use formal academic English. For instance, the phrase “she was stuck in the house….” uses the word “stuck” in a colloquial way and is therefore not appropriate. Use prepositions such as “to,” “with” and “for” correctly. Italicize the titles of books, novels, films and longer works and put the titles of short stories, poems, articles, essays and shorter works in quotation marks. Regarding East Asian Names: The family name comes first, then the given name, such as Zhang Ailing or Mu Shiying. Follow your chosen citation format (MLA or Chicago Manual of Style) for all in- text citations, footnotes and your bibliography.

Finally, before submitting your paper, carefully proofread and edit your paper, and revise and rewrite as needed. Most likely your first draft will not be your last draft, but only a starting point.

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LTEA 120C Essay Writing Tips and Feedback

1. Create a title page that features your name, the name of the course, the date, and the title of your paper. Give your paper a title that encapsulates the essence and findings of your textual reading and analysis. Be bold! Don’tjust write “Analysis of Film x.” Also, be sure to include either the title or the author of the text(s) you are going to discuss, or both. The idea is to let your reader know what your paper is about, in a concise way.

2. Articulate your central thesis / argument at the top of your paper in your introduction, and make it as specific and concrete as possible. Create an introduction that is a true “road map” for the reader. Make it specific to then show HOW your argument is true in the text. The more specific and well-rounded the argument, the more substantial and analytical the paper will be.

3. Structure your paper in an analytical, not a descriptive way. This means that your outline should consist of a central argument, and a list of analytical points which serve to substantiate your central argument / thesis. Aim to introduce, explain and prove each analytical point by means of careful film analysis. Cite evidence from the film when relevant to support and illustrate an analytical point you are making.

4. Discuss not only the plot / content / the “what” of the film but also the visual and cinematic strategies the filmmaker uses - the “how” of the film. Focus on the tools and techniques filmmakers use to convey meaning in their works. Be less descriptive and more analytical.

5. Do showcase your knowledge of a given filmmaker, film and context, and provide some important relevant information to your reader In this way, you show that you are educated about the significance of the film you are examining, and can contribute to discourse about it. However, keep this information to a minimum, since your main purpose is to provide a new analytical reading of a limited body of films, not a re-hashing of background or facts we already know.

6. When writing about any film, always use the present tense! This is true for fictional stories, essays, poems, and films, as visual works of art. This is necessary because you are discussing a text or work of art that still exists today. When discussing events in historical time or in a person’s “real” life, use the past tense.

7. Proofread your paper! Be precise and exact in the way you use language to express yourself. Keep in mind your imaginary reader and write as clearly as possible for this reader. Re-read sentences out loud and ask yourself: 1. Is the sentence grammatically

2

correct?; 2. Do words agree and are commas placed correctly?; 3. Are there any unnecessary words? Less is best!; 4. Is the meaning as clear as possible?

8. Avoid using the passive voice! If you use it, have a clear reason for using it.

9. Use firm, assertive language in your essay, and clearly define the argument and analytical points that you will prove and substantiate. Do not use weak speculative words such as “perhaps,” “maybe,” or “it could be said that…” Dare to make a clear, specific assertion/argument, and then prove it systematically.

10. Using the personal pronoun “I” in a paper is ok. However, you should not overdo it and use it judiciously when you want to emphasize a personal point of view or opinion. Most of the time, you should avoid using it.

11. Regarding format: a. Make sure that your paper is well-organized and has a clear, well-defined

Introduction, Body ofAnalysis, and Conclusion. b. Always include the dates for key figures when you first mention them in the

paper. Include the date of first publication for key texts and other works when you first mention them.

c. Always provide citations in correct citation format. Review MLA and Chicago Manual of Style citation formats, and use one of these formats consistently for in- text / footnote citations and for the bibliography.

d. Italics and “quotation marks:” italics are used for books and films; “quotation marks” are used for short stories, essays, poems and other shorter texts. Underline is almost never used today.

e. Commas and periods are always inside quotation marks.

12. Regarding Citations: a. Use MLA in-text citation style, including only the author’s last name and page

number without a comma: i.e.: (Abbas 150) or (Kam 25) b. Present complete, correctly formatted bibliographical information for each source

in the List ofWorks Cited. c. When quoting text, consider it as textual evidence, and discuss it analytically, so

that it may help to illustrate and substantiate your specific analytical points, as well as your central argument overall. Do not let the quotes speak for themselves!

d. When citing films, review and use the correct MLA format for citing films that is posted on Canvas. Example: In-Text Citation: (Enter the Dragon 29:45 – 32:37), List ofWorks Cited: Enter the Dragon. Directed by Robert Clouse. Sequoia Pictures, 1973.