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 double check 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, 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 final term essay must be at least 1,500 words (worth 300 points). Your final, developed version of your essay must include a detailed analysis of the film, which is a discussion supported by evidence of its characteristic components.

Your writing project involves much more than 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). However, the term essay is a writing project in which you are expected to contribute an original essay on a film of your choosing (approved films are listed in MODULES). 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.

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 (and shadows), camera angles and foci, acting, dialogue, sound, special effects, 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 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. Your essay must include a thesis statement or a purpose of analysis.

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 term essay 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 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

1. Name your file using this convention: Last Name, First Name- Essay.
2. Use MLA formatting and heading.
3. Include your word count at the end of your MLA Heading.
4. Use 12 point Times New Roman font with 1 inch margins.
5. Title your essay.
6. Single space your essay.
7. 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!
8. Make sure that there is an analytical part and a shorter evaluative part. These are two separate sections of your essay.
   1. The analytical part should take up the majority of your essay and is thesis driven. This part should take up the first two to three body paragraphs of your essay. Use the Claim, Evidence, Warrant structure for each body paragraph. Make sure that each body paragraph focuses on analysis. Approximately half of your paragraph should be analysis rather than claim or evidence.
   2. The evaluative part should be the last body paragraph before your conclusion. Remember that the evaluative part is not about whether or not you liked the film, but is instead about how successful or unsuccessful the film is based on your chosen and stated set of criteria. You get to set the criteria that your judgement is based on. Make sure that you are still using 3rd person singular in this section.
9. 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 in boldface and highlighted. Also, make sure that you demonstrate your knowledge of each term’s meaning and proper use.
10. Begin each body paragraph with a topic sentence (think of this as a mini claim that works to support your thesis).
11. Use as little plot summary as possible. Focus instead on specific pieces of evidence that specifically work to support your claim.
12. Write your entire essay in 3rd person singular.
13. Spell and grammar check!
14. Do not use contractions.
15. Film titles are italicized.
16. Look at the Term Essay Outline Template!