for Introduction to Film as Literature
These are spaces for you to critique and analyze a film focusing on one or two related ideas or issues addressed in the film. Your response will consist of three paragraphs: summary, analysis, and personal response.
1. Summary paragraph: Do not summarize the entire film. Briefly restate or paraphrase the
plotline. You should demonstrate that you have watched the film, that you understand the film, and that you understand the motivations of the central characters. You should be able to identify the protagonist and antagonist and you should be aware of the importance of setting, tone, musical and sound effects, and other important elements.
2. Analysis paragraph: Focus on analyzing some aspect of the film. For example, what is its
theme and how do we discover it? Is it told in linear or non-linear fashion? Are the actors believable in their roles? Does the film evoke an emotional response or does the film fall flat?
Does the film accomplish the director’s purpose?
3. Personal response: For this section, you should add your own voice to the conversation.
Do you relate to the film in any way? Why or why not? In short, what do you think about this work?
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Grading:
· (A) Response is focused around one or two related ideas that are clearly articulated or paraphrased, adds something to the conversation, and/or helps clarify an idea for yourself and your classmates. Writing is clear, engaging, grammatically correct and easy to read. Provides concrete ideas through illustrations, specific quotes, relevant examples and/or observations, etc. Addresses all 3 categories of summary, analysis, and personal response.
· (B) Response is focused around one or two related ideas, but ideas need further clarification and development. Overall, writing is clear, engaging, grammatically correct, and easy to read. There may be a few awkward phrases or minor grammatical problems, but response is basically well-written and well-developed. Covers two of the three areas well and gives at least adequate coverage to the other area.
· (C) Response is rather short, general and/or underdeveloped; however, it does indicate that the writer watched the film. The response tends to be rather vague and abstract, rather than providing clarification for ideas addresed. Adequately meets assignment objectives, although there may be several minor problems with style, tone, thesis support, organization or mechanics.
· (D) Response indicates the writer watched the film, but fails to show any adequate analysis or response to it. Closer to a summary than a dialogic response. Text has many problems with style, tone, thesis support, organization and/or mechanics.
· (U) Response addresses broad concepts, but it does not indicate the writer has fully grappled with the ideas presented. Fails to meet assignment objectives and/or has major problems with style, tone, thesis support, organization or mechanics.
