Mini-Research Essay
Assignment Overview – Topics
Select one of the topics listed below. Respond to the topic or question in the form of a short
essay using the terms and concepts developed in the course. Library research and the rescreening
of selected films is an expectation of the assignment.
This assignment is designed as a formal introduction to basic research in the Humanities. It will
prompt you to select a topic and think through the issues most appropriate to a discussion of that
topic. Read articles, essays, and book chapters connected to your topic to gain the
understanding necessary to engage in the selected topic in a meaningful way.
Topic 1. Churchill’s Island and Standard Operating Procedure address the topic of war at very
different moments in history with very different technologies available to the filmmaker. Evaluate
each film according to their differences and similarities using the terms and concepts from the
course, and comment on whether one is more successful in achieving its apparent goals than the
other.
Topic 2. James Marsh’s award-winning films Man on Wire and Project Nim address very different
subjects in very similar ways. Evaluate each film according to their differences and similarities
using the terms and concepts from the course, and comment on whether one is more successful
in achieving its apparent goals than the other.
MINI-RESEARCH ESSAY
Basic Requirements
Your submission should be four (4) typed pages not including the bibliography, doublespaced,
1” margins, 12-point font. Submissions that do not meet this requirement will not
receive a passing grade.
Carry out library research so that you have a clear understanding of the subject matter presented
in the film (e.g. World War II; sign language) and an appreciation of the specific historical, social
or political context of the film itself; film reviews in established newspapers or magazines and
articles in scholarly journals are valuable resources. You will share this research with me in the
form of a bibliography; for further information about this document, see below.
This is not a movie review or a plot summary. This assignment tests your ability to think through
the core concepts presented in class and independently conduct research relating to the interests
of the course with a focus on scholarly and critical sources (including professional print
journalism) in order to expand your understanding of the general subject area. Library research
and re-viewing of select films will be necessary.
A properly formatted bibliography with no fewer than three (3) entries from outside of the course
readings is required and will demonstrate your research. The course readings provide you with a
solid starting point for work addressing the various subject areas. Your primary resource for this
research can and should be the Sheridan Library — this is not an exercise in Googling.
Acceptable citation guidelines are to be found in the Modern Languages Association
Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (available online and in most new and used
bookstores) and an example of proper citations is to be found in the Course Outline. With the
exception of refereed journals available online (and through library-endorsed online databases;
i.e. ProQuest) internet sources are not acceptable (i.e. Wikipedia, IMDB, Rotten Tomatoes)
and will be penalized.
The Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) provides valuable assistance for conducting research and
offers resources to ensure you properly cite your work — https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/
section/2/
Your opening paragraph should include the title of the works you are analyzing, the year of their
release, and a simple thesis that organizes your work — we will discuss examples in class. You
will present your basic research as evidence in support of your thesis; discussion of specific
details from the films you selected will serve to illustrate your discussion and reinforce your
claims.
Grading Outline
A grading rubric for the assignment will be available via SLATE. In general, you work will be
assessed based on the following:
– Clarity of thesis/central idea/argument
– Proper use of documentary film studies terms introduced in class
– Appropriateness, quality, and format of research bibliography
– Essay structure
– Mechanics of writing (e.g. proper punctuation, word choice, spelling, etc.)
– Overall impression of the work
