Find a current event that relates to the chapter being covered this week. Briefly summarize the current event and how it relates to the chapter we are covering. You may choose something related to politics, celebrities, local news, etc. but whatever it is make sure that it is not a conspiracy theory and comes from a legitimate site and that the event can be verified. This should be a minimum of 1 page double spaced 12point font.

ASSIGNMENT #3:
FINAL ESSAY

BUT FIRST… FILM STUDIES
WRITING RULES!

• There are some writing rules unique to Film Studies
that you need to follow in this assignment:

• EVERY TIME you mention the film, put it in Italics;
and at first mention, connect the film to its
director and year of release:

• Raging Bull, released in 1980 and directed by Martin Scorsese,
explores…

• Afterwards, just the last name of the director
is sufficient!

• You can use IMDb.com to look up the names of
cast and crew (but don’t look at the plot
reviews or summaries!)

http://IMDb.com

FILM STUDIES
WRITING RULES

• At first mention, connect film characters to the actors who
portray them:

• Jake LaMotta, played by Robert De Niro, struggles…

• Afterwards, just first name of the character is sufficient!

• When writing about what happens in the film, use the present
tense:

The film depicts…

The film follows…

Jake responds…

The camera pans…

Scorsese uses…

FILM STUDIES
WRITING RULES

• Avoid plot summary – consider the audience of your essay: your
Instructor! She has seen the movie so there is NO NEED to recount
the entire plot!

• WHAT happens in the movie is never as important as HOW

• Avoid evaluation – avoid using evaluative language like “good,”
“great,” “perfect,” “masterpiece,” “amazing,” and etc… you’re not
writing a review, nor are you trying to convince me to see the film!

• See the charts below for better words to use when writing about
film:

ASSIGNMENT #3
• Now let’s shift focus to Assignment #3. For

this assignment, you are to turn Assignment
#2, your essay proposal, into a full essay
of 1000-1200 words

PREREQUISITE: If you did NOT submit
Assignment #2, your proposal, you are NOT
permitted to proceed with this assignment.

WARNING: If you did NOT pass the MLA
Workshop, you MUST consult with a WLC
Humanities Specialist for at least one 30
minute appointment to review this assignment,
in particular its citations and formatting,
prior to submitting, no exceptions!

ASSIGNMENT #3: FIVE
PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE

• I recommend you follow a 5
paragraph structure.

• As each topic has 3 main
points you need to address,
this structure allows each
body paragraph to have a
singular focus.

• The order of the points and
the evidence you provide is
up to you!

• Let’s review the 5 paragraph
essay structure more
closely!

INTRODUCTORY
PARAGRAPH

• Begin your essay with a HOOK.
What’s a hook?

• a strong opening sentence that
captures your reader’s
attention

• Tips for hooks:

• describe a concrete image

• integrate a line of dialogue
from the film or reading

• start with an interesting
question or strong statement

• use a metaphor or a simile

INTRODUCTORY
PARAGRAPH

• After your hook, introduce the film, its director and main
cast, and provide any context needed to comprehend your
thesis BRIEFLY; also establish who wrote the article your
essay engages with (Marshall or Bordwell).

• Your THESIS STATEMENT should appear as the LAST SENTENCE of
your introductory paragraph.

• Your introduction should not go on and on (do not exceed a
page double-spaced).

BODY PARAGRAPHS
• Your 3 body paragraphs must defend your thesis by presenting
examples from the film and evidence from the course reading,
and any other course materials you may have chosen to
support your

argument

• Each body paragraph should begin with a TOPIC SENTENCE, also
known as a MINI-THESIS, that clearly states what the
paragraph is about; topic sentences should integrate
keywords from your thesis to keep your argument, and your
reader, on track.

• A body paragraph should not exceed a page double-spaced!

BODY PARAGRAPHS
• Each body paragraph must present examples from the film
and EXPLAIN how they support your mini-thesis/topic
sentence.

• As per MLA 8, you must provide the time range when
describing a specific scene/shot from the film, or when
quoting a line of dialogue or transcribing video essay
narration (HH:MM:SS-HH:MM:SS). For example:

At the end of their conversation, Don Pietro and Pina see a group of Nazis harassing

someone and Don Pietro cannot help but agree with Pina when she expresses she “would

like to kick their faces in” (Rome Open City 00:32:22-00:32:47). This comment not only

demonstrates Pina’s rebelliousness, but also foreshadows the treacherous action of the

Nazis that will soon tragically cut both their lives short. Their fighting spirit, however,

will live on in the resistance, which provides viewers with hope for the future of Italy.

BODY PARAGRAPHS
• Each body paragraph must also provide evidence
from the topic’s reading and other course
materials you may have chosen to support your
argument.

• Use the words of ideas of others to help EXPLAIN
the features of art cinema or the zombie subgenre,
and to strengthen your argument about the film.

• Cite any words/ideas that come from course
readings and materials in-text at the end of every
sentence that uses them.

WARNING: Failure to provide proper citations will
result in you receiving 0, and an Academic Alert. If
you need help with citations, visit the WLC!

BODY PARAGRAPHS
• Students are discouraged from paraphrasing in
this assignment; rather, use the “quote
sandwich” method to integrate direct quotes from
readings and video essays!

• See an example for how to do this on the next
slide.

QUOTE SANDWICH
EXAMPLE

According to the 1962 article, “[t]he way a film looks and moves should have some relationship

to the way a director thinks and feels” (Sarris 562). This means that the fluid pans and tilts from

a low camera height throughout Roma effectively bring viewers into the mind of its director; we

see Cleo as Cuarón would have seen Libo as a child: lovingly low to the ground.

To review, here’s the method in a formula:

Introduce quote + “quote” (cite author’s name or film’s time

range) + explain what quote means + how it supports your

argument

BODY PARAGRAPHS
• The LAST SENTENCE of a body paragraph serves two
purposes: to conclude your ideas, and to transition
to the next paragraph.

• Remind your reader what this paragraph achieved,
and use transitional language to set up the next.

CONCLUSION
• Finally, write a conclusion that echoes, but does
not repeat your thesis; remind your reader of
your main points.

• Your conclusion can be brief; just a few
sentences is sufficient!

CONCLUSION
• Leave the reader with a powerful closing statement;
this is the time be dramatic!

• Tips for closing statements:

• conclude by considering the implications of your
argument; what does your argument imply or
suggest about World Cinema today?

• conclude with a concrete image to encourage an
emotional response in your reader

• conclude with a “quotation” from or reference to
the film or reading; one that amplifies your
argument or puts it in a different perspective

• conclude by referencing your hook or title to
bring your paper full circle ⭕

ASSIGNMENT #3
• Let’s conclude by reviewing the rubric!

• You will be evaluated on how well you implement
feedback from Assignment #2, and how well you integrate
sources (the readings/video essays) and analyze
examples (from the film) to support your argument.

THE WLC

• Some students are required, but
all are encouraged to consult
with a Humanities Specialist at
the WLC prior to submitting
this assignment!

• Please be advised that the WLC
is very busy this time of year,
so book your appointment well
in advance —> https://
alexander.mywconline.com/

https://alexander.mywconline.com/

https://alexander.mywconline.com/

• If you have questions or concerns while completing
the assignment, you’re also welcome to visit me
during Zoom office hours from 1:30-3:00 PM Pacific
Standard Time on Thursdays, or email me to make an
appointment at another time —>
m.lewis@alexandercollege.ca

mailto:m.lewis@alexandercollege.ca

Homework!
• No class on Wednesday! I will hold office hours instead.

• Next week we start our last unit on Animation!

• Read Film Art 389-394, and the David A. Ross article
“Musings on Miyazaki”

• Watch My Neighbor Totoro (Hayao Miyazaki, 1988) on
Netflix