Paper #3: Rhetorical Analysis of a Documentary Film
5-6 pages:
Choose a documentary that is significant to you—perhaps one that we’ve watched and discussed this semester, one from the list below, or one that you found on your own. If you find one on your own that is suitable, you must clear it with me. No more than three students in the class will be allowed to write about the same documentary, so plan on choosing several ahead of time. Write an essay that analyzes the chosen documentary, your experiences with or reactions to the film, as well as an in- depth analysis of the intended audience and the ways in which that audience may relate to the film. How does the film that you chose rhetorically and emotionally appeal to its intended audience? What are the real-world implications of this film’s public release? How may it effect/promote social change? How does it use images, character-construction, dialogue, and/or text to capture and sustain that audience‘s interest and imagination? This essay requires at least three reputable outside sources on the documentary's topic, preferably from academic journals, newspapers or scientific studies, to support the student's argument. This essay also requires a strong thesis statement that is presented correctly, and executed through critical thinking, concise writing, well-thought out structure, and research.
Over spring break, at least a week before the first draft is due, email me to let me know which film(s) you're interested in writing about, and I will get back to you and let you know that your choice is acceptable.
First Draft Due: Thursday 3/21/13
Second Draft Due: Thursday 3/28/13
Final Draft Due: Thursday 4/4/14
List of films we have watched (or will watch) as a part of this course, that you may use for this paper:
Grizzly Man
Catfish
Rize
If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front
The Cove
Spellbound
Born Into Brothels
The Boys of Baraka
I Am
The Times of Harvey Milk
List of films I suggest as alternatives for this paper:
Jesus Camp
Fahrenheit 9/11
Elephant in the Living Room
The Devil's Playground
An Inconvenient Truth
Exit Through the Gift Shop
Grey Gardens
Roger & Me
Hoop Dreams
Woodstock
Bowling for Columbine
Man on Wire
Sharkwater
Marwencol
Grading Rubric:
Documentary Film Analysis Essay (out of 20 possible points)
Evaluation Areas
Introduction (out of 2)- Does the introduction clearly express the issue, problem, or question that the essay will analyze? Does the introduction get readers’ attention by presenting the issue in an interesting way?
Thesis (out of 4)- Does the essay have a clear (and interesting) thesis that maps out the essay for readers? Does the thesis have an argumentative edge, as opposed to being merely a descriptive statement?
Thesis Support and Research (out of 5)- Does the essay effectively support the thesis? Is the analysis of the television show/s meaningful, detailed, and convincing, as opposed to merely descriptive? Has the writer used at least three outside sources to research their topic, and used them to effectively support the thesis? Does this essay discuss the real-world implications of this documentary’s release?
Conclusion (out of 2)
Does the conclusion tie up the loose ends of the paper and leave the reader with a sense of completion? Does it leave the reader with a final thought to walk away with?
Overall Organization & Coherence (out of 2)- Is the essay organized and easy to follow? Does it show that the writer has a solid grasp of the important parts of the essay and their respective functions? Is the paragraphing effective?
Grammar, Mechanics, Organization (out of 2)
Subject-Verb Agreement
Verb Tenses and Verb Forms
Sentence Punctuation—Fragments, Run-ons, Fused Sentences
Paper is stapled, and pages are numbered!
Evidence of Writing Process (out of 3)
(Drafts, revisions, peer reviews (workshops), and final draft are all on time.
Choose a documentary that is significant to you—perhaps one that we’ve watched and discussed this semester, one from the list below, or one that you found on your own. If you find one on your own that is suitable, you must clear it with me. No more than three students in the class will be allowed to write about the same documentary, so plan on choosing several ahead of time. Write an essay that analyzes the chosen documentary, your experiences with or reactions to the film, as well as an in- depth analysis of the intended audience and the ways in which that audience may relate to the film. How does the film that you chose rhetorically and emotionally appeal to its intended audience? What are the real-world implications of this film’s public release? How may it effect/promote social change? How does it use images, character-construction, dialogue, and/or text to capture and sustain that audience‘s interest and imagination? This essay requires at least three reputable outside sources on the documentary's topic, preferably from academic journals, newspapers or scientific studies, to support the student's argument. This essay also requires a strong thesis statement that is presented correctly, and executed through critical thinking, concise writing, well-thought out structure, and research.
Over spring break, at least a week before the first draft is due, email me to let me know which film(s) you're interested in writing about, and I will get back to you and let you know that your choice is acceptable.
First Draft Due: Thursday 3/21/13
Second Draft Due: Thursday 3/28/13
Final Draft Due: Thursday 4/4/14
List of films we have watched (or will watch) as a part of this course, that you may use for this paper:
Grizzly Man
Catfish
Rize
If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front
The Cove
Spellbound
Born Into Brothels
The Boys of Baraka
I Am
The Times of Harvey Milk
List of films I suggest as alternatives for this paper:
Jesus Camp
Fahrenheit 9/11
Elephant in the Living Room
The Devil's Playground
An Inconvenient Truth
Exit Through the Gift Shop
Grey Gardens
Roger & Me
Hoop Dreams
Woodstock
Bowling for Columbine
Man on Wire
Sharkwater
Marwencol
Grading Rubric:
Documentary Film Analysis Essay (out of 20 possible points)
Evaluation Areas
Introduction (out of 2)- Does the introduction clearly express the issue, problem, or question that the essay will analyze? Does the introduction get readers’ attention by presenting the issue in an interesting way?
Thesis (out of 4)- Does the essay have a clear (and interesting) thesis that maps out the essay for readers? Does the thesis have an argumentative edge, as opposed to being merely a descriptive statement?
Thesis Support and Research (out of 5)- Does the essay effectively support the thesis? Is the analysis of the television show/s meaningful, detailed, and convincing, as opposed to merely descriptive? Has the writer used at least three outside sources to research their topic, and used them to effectively support the thesis? Does this essay discuss the real-world implications of this documentary’s release?
Conclusion (out of 2)
Does the conclusion tie up the loose ends of the paper and leave the reader with a sense of completion? Does it leave the reader with a final thought to walk away with?
Overall Organization & Coherence (out of 2)- Is the essay organized and easy to follow? Does it show that the writer has a solid grasp of the important parts of the essay and their respective functions? Is the paragraphing effective?
Grammar, Mechanics, Organization (out of 2)
Subject-Verb Agreement
Verb Tenses and Verb Forms
Sentence Punctuation—Fragments, Run-ons, Fused Sentences
Paper is stapled, and pages are numbered!
Evidence of Writing Process (out of 3)
(Drafts, revisions, peer reviews (workshops), and final draft are all on time.