Be sure to submit your essay in a doc or docx format, single spaced.
Make all of your terms boldface and highlighted in yellow.
Include your word count at the end of your MLA Heading.
You cannot resubmit your essay after the deadline.Turnitin does not allow resubmission after the deadline, so doublecheck to make sure that you are submitting the correct file.
Please be sure to take a screen shot of your submission page on Canvas with the date and time of your submission.
Single space your essay.
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Only doc or docx files accepted.
You are required to submit both a draft version and a final, revisedversion as MS WORD documents, submitted through the TURNITIN link, whichrecords the day and time of your submission. No other form ofsubmission is acceptable.
The final term essay must be at least 1,500 words (worth 300 points).Your final, developed version of your essay must include a detailedanalysis of the film, which is a discussion supported by evidence of itscharacteristic components.
Your writing project involves much more than plot summary. In fact, plot summaries should be kept to a minimum (briefplot summaries or references are acceptable in support of aninterpretive point). However, the term essay is a writing project inwhich you are expected to contribute an original essay on a film of yourchoosing (approved films are listed in MODULES). You are discouragedfrom drawing upon professional reviews, either from the Internet orother sources. Films shown in class are not eligible as choices for your essay.
Your subject matter can be wide ranging, including (but not limited to nor necessarily requiring) the following issues:
Themes, cultural assumptions, and perspectives
Comparisons (brief) with/references to other films by the same director and/or actor
Examination of acting performances related to cultural perspectives
Analysis of technical elements, which may include lighting (andshadows), camera angles and foci, acting, dialogue, sound, specialeffects, and so forth
The first part of your term essay should be analytical.You want to explore how the different parts of the film come togetherand generate certain effects in (some) viewers. You can’t generalize forall viewers, but the effects on you are very important and should bearticulated. Your essay must include a thesis statement or a purpose of analysis.
The second part of your essay, the evaluativecomponent, asks you to make an articulate judgment (or series ofjudgments about the film). In other words, you should indicate whetherthe film lives up to its potential (or fails to do so). You should havesome clear criteria of evaluation in making your overall judgment (yourdescriptive criteria will provide you with supporting material here).One critical component in evaluation is effect. What effect(s)does the film have on you and how or why? Are these effects appropriateto the genre? Does the film introduce effects that are relativelyinnovative and new for you? (Your essay is NOT a research project.) How does this film compare with other films of the same genre with which you are familiar? Yourterm essay should express in clear language the fundamental elements ofthe film, followed by your concrete judgment as to whether it is a goodfilm, a poor film, or something in between. Do not leave your reader indoubt as to your overall judgment about the success or failure of thefilm. Sample student essays are posted on Canvas.
You are required to use at least FIVE approved interpretive terms, which are posted below and in Canvas under COURSE DOCUMENTS. You are required to boldface the terms and concepts that you are discussing. Approved Essay Terms:
Fade out / Fade in
Dissolve
Low angle shot
High angle shot
Close up
Medium shot
Long shot
Cutting on action
Implicit meaning
Motif
Point of view
Realism
Antirealism
Sequences
Narrative movie
Genre
Character type
Diegetic sound
Non-diegetic sound
Décor
Chiaroscuro
Open frame
Film editing (shot)
Closed frame
Flashback
Montage
Master shot
Shot/reverse shot Crosscutting
Intercutting
Repetition
Costuming
Dialogue
Casting
GRADING RUBRIC FOR TERM ESSAY AND FINAL EXAM
Overall Organization (introduction, analysis, conclusion) 15%
Effective use of evidence/illustration 15%
Paragraph development, including effective topic sentence and transitions 10%
Accurate use of terms and concepts 10%
Effective use of grammar and style (diction, sentence structures, punctuation) 10%
Meets the analytical goals of the assignment. 10%
Meets the minimum length of the assignment. 10%
Demonstrates critical thinking 10%
Effective analysis of potential effects of cinematic techniques 5%
Effective understanding of audience, tone, point of view 5%
Essay Checklist
Name your file using this convention: Last Name, First Name- Essay.
Use MLA formatting and heading.
Include your word count at the end of your MLA Heading.
Use 12 point Times New Roman font with 1 inch margins.
Title your essay.
Single space your essay.
Make sure that you have a solid, contestable thesis statement.Your thesis should be the last sentence(s) of your introduction.Remember to be as specific as possible. Avoid generalizations!
Make sure that there is an analytical part and a shorter evaluative part. These are two separate sections of your essay.
The analytical part shouldtake up the majority of your essay and is thesis driven. This partshould take up the first two to three body paragraphs of your essay. Usethe Claim, Evidence, Warrant structure for each body paragraph. Makesure that each body paragraph focuses on analysis. Approximately half ofyour paragraph should be analysis rather than claim or evidence.
The evaluative part shouldbe the last body paragraph before your conclusion. Remember that theevaluative part is not about whether or not you liked the film, but isinstead about how successful or unsuccessful the film is based on yourchosen and stated set of criteria. You get to set the criteria that yourjudgement is based on. Make sure that you are still using 3rd personsingular in this section.
Use at least 5 terms (listed in the syllabus) in your essay. These terms must be boldface and highlighted in yellow.Remember, I will not go looking for your terms if they are not inboldface and highlighted. Also, make sure that you demonstrate yourknowledge of each term’s meaning and proper use.
Begin each body paragraph with a topic sentence (think of this as a mini claim that works to support your thesis).
Use as little plot summary as possible. Focus instead on specific pieces of evidence that specifically work to support your claim.
Write your entire essay in 3rd person singular.
Spell and grammar check!
Do not use contractions.
Film titles are italicized.
Look at the Term Essay Outline Template!
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