ESSAYS. You are required to submit two essays (a draft version and a final, revised version) as MS WORD documents, submitted through the TURNITIN link, which records the day and time of your submission. No other form of submission is acceptable. The draft essay must be at least 1,000 words and the final essay must be at least 1,500words. Your writing project involves 1) a detailed first draft of the term essay and 2) a final revision of that essay –- which must include an analysis of the film, which is a discussion of its characteristic components — yet more than a plot summary. In fact, plot summaries should be kept to a minimum (brief plot summaries or references are acceptable in support of an interpretive point). The essays are not research projects and you are expected to contribute an original essay on a film of your choosing (you will receive a list of approved films from your instructor, which are posted on Canvas). You are discouraged from drawing upon professional reviews, either from the Internet or other sources. Films shown in class are not eligible as choices for your essay. You are required to use at least FIVE approvedinterpretive terms posted on CANVAS in MODULES. Sample student essays from previous classes are posted on CANVAS. In your essays, boldface or underline the terms/concepts. Your essays must include a thesis statement or a purpose of analysis of the film, which is your discussion of its characteristic components–yet is much more than a plot summary.
Grading Rubric for Term Essay and Final Exam
Your subject matter can be wide ranging, including (but not limited to nor necessarily requiring) the following issues:
The first part of your essay should be analytical. You want to explore how the different parts of the film come together and generate certain effects in (some) viewers. You can’t generalize for all viewers, but the effects on you are very important and should be articulated. The second part of your essay, the evaluative component, asks you to make an articulate judgment (or series of judgments about the film). In other words, you should indicate whether the film lives up to its potential (or fails to do so). You should have some clear criteria of evaluation in making your overall judgment (your descriptive 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 appropriate to the genre? Does the film introduce effects that are relatively innovative 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?
Your essays, draft and final version, should express in clear language the fundamental elements of the film, followed by your concrete judgment as to whether it is a good film, a poor film, or something in between. Do not leave your reader in doubt as to your overall judgment about the success or failure of the film. Sample student essays will be posted on CANVAS. Some helpful reminders for your essays:
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
