Film/Reading Response #2
Assignment: For your second short essay, choose either Chungking Express or Offside and write a paper in which you synthesize the readings and your analysis of the film. In other words, apply what you’ve learned in the readings to your new understanding of the movie. You may comment on any of the reading material covered so far in class - however, your paper must include discussion of all reading(s) associated with your selected film, and be sure to include the title of the reading you are discussing.
So, what is meant by “synthesis”? I will be looking for connections you’ve made between the readings, class discussions, and the film you’ve chosen to discuss. So, what background information about these films has helped you develop a new or deeper understanding of the themes? What points do the readings make that you find useful, or controversial? In other words, comment on what you’ve learned from the readings that help you reach your own conclusions about what the film is about, or the function of the formal techniques used in the movie.
The most successful papers will do more than simply reiterate discussions we’ve had in class or points made in the readings. Instead, they will:
- Show that you are drawing your own original conclusions, and bringing your unique, personal observations into your writing.
- Include direct quotes from the readings that you then comment upon, as a way of demonstrating your close engagement with the readings.
- Provide specific examples of scenes or shots from the film that you then connect to points made in the readings.
Paper requirements:
- 500 – 750 words, 12 point font, 1-inch margins, double spaced (include word count!)
- Grammatically correct, perfect spelling, proofread and polished (writing ability DOES COUNT in this class and will affect your grade!)
- Uploaded to Blackboard as an attached document in the “Assignments” section of the course website.
One final note: This essay need not include a formal introduction or conclusion; feel free to get straight into the heart of your paper. However, be sure to identify the title of the readings and films you are discussing; an outside reader should still be able to follow your ideas.