1. Please submit your essays by email to kwhite@dvc.edu.
2. Please put your full name and the course number on the subject line: For example, Re: John Doe, Film 140- Essay.
3. Make sure your name is on the essay as well.
4. Email submissions will be returned corrected by email.
5. Essays that are late for any reason will be marked down one full grade. Essays that are submitted more than one week after they are due, will not be accepted. No exceptions.
Answer one of the following essay questions. Write no more than two typed pages, double spaced and remember the essays must be typed. Concentrate on one clearly defined thesis.
* State your thesis clearly in the first paragraph. * Prove your thesis in the body of the paper. * Sum up in the final paragraph. * Cite concrete examples from specific scenes to prove your thesis. * Your thesis should express one central idea. * Concentrate on one underlying theme in the film.
If you choose to respond to question 1. or question 2.,it is crucial that you connect the two films to one another by comparing and contrasting their themes to develop a strong, well-supported argument. Make sure that your essay has a clear thesis and specific examples that demonstrate your claims. Only use elements from the plot sparingly to support your thesis. Your ideas and insights should form the core of your paper.
Your essay should go somewhere. That is it should prove something. Enlighten me.
No plot outlines. I have absolutely no interest in a cursory retelling of the story. Assume that I have seen the film numerous times. Work will be graded down for poor grammar and spelling errors. Your writing should be clear, concise and to the point. It should have impact and punch. It should carefully explore and prove your thesis.
In evaluating your work, stress will be placed on:
a) The coherence of your argument.
b) The range and detail of the examples you cite.
c) Originality and depth of thought.
d) Supporting evidence from the text and films viewed in class if appropriate.
1. Compare and contrast a film required by the midterm with a nonrequired film. The films should be of similar type or genre. That is compare and contrast a romantic comedy with a romantic comedy, a similar foreign film with an American film, etc.
2. See another film by Hitchcock, Capra, Chaplin, Ford, Welles, Curtiz or Sturges and compare that film with their required film in light of the "auteur" theory. In essence, analyze the two films by looking for re-occurring themes, motifs and differences.
3. After viewing the American Cinema program on "The Star," see any current feature film and analyze how the star system influenced the casting, story, theme and promotion of this film. This is a deceptively difficult question to answer incisively and well. Think carefully.
4. Carefully analyze a film seen at any film festival or the Pacific Film Archive.* Include a synopsis of what the film was trying to say, an analysis of whether or not it was successful and why. Use concrete examples from the film and be specific. Make sure you identify and analyze major underlying themes.
Extra credit will also be given to a film seen at any film festival or the Pacific Film Archive.
There’s a write way and a wrong way to communicate
Odette Pollar
San Francisco Chronicle, Sunday, June 9, 2002
In these days of fewer people doing more work, there is a heavier reliance on each person doing his own writing. Studies show that business people who write well get ahead quickly. Good writing eliminates confusion, reduces mistakes and saves your organization money. Here are some tips that will help you tackle your writing tasks more effectively:
Getting started. Whether it is a letter, report, memo or e-mail, focus on your readers. Who are they? What is critical for them to understand? How technical must you be?
Have a clear purpose in mind. Define your message and consider
