Film as Text
Assignment #3: Film as Text
Points Value: 100
Due Date: Tuesday, August 28 by 5:00 P.M. (10% off each day late/Zero after Thursday, 8/30 at 5:00 P.M.)
Film Response: Write an organized, detailed response to one of the teacher-approved films listed. Use the provided questions to guide you. You should answer each question before you begin to write your response. You may include these in your dialectical notebook. Do not post a response without formulating an original thesis. In other words, this is not a Q&A or a checklist. Respond in essay form. **Please note that the response should not be a summary of the film, but a reaction to it. (I’ve seen each film many times.) No more than 300 words, please!
Films: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2000); The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002); The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003); Braveheart (1995); Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope (1977); Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980); Star Wars: Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983); Gone with the Wind (1939); Gladiator (2000); The Lion in Winter (1968)
Personal Responses and Reactions (adapted from Howard)
Identify what triggered your responses, not just your responses themselves. It is in this exploration that you analyze how those responses developed.
1. Who is the hero or heroine in the film? How do you know? (Identify and explain heroic character traits.) You may analyze both, where applicable.
2. What is the purpose of his/her journey? What is the significance of the setting?
3. Who or what is the “monster” (representation of evil, greed, etc.) he/she faces?
4. What human concerns do the screenwriter and director raise?
5. What kinds of characters have been created to represent these concerns?
6. What hopes, desires and fears do these characters possess?
7. What details are provided to help you envision how (and how successfully) each character tries to achieve what he or she wants?
8. What words/phrases demonstrate these traits?
9. What emotional responses does the film evoke?
10. What knowledge does it assume you have and what information does it provide?
11. What questions or concerns does it raise about the roles of the “hero” and the “monster” in contemporary society?
Works Cited
Howard, R. M. “The Critical Response.” University of West Virginia. n.d. Web. 4 Apr. 2011
RUBRIC: Scale of 1-5; 1 = poor; 2 = average; 3 = very good; 4 = excellent; 5 = outstanding
Category
Originality/Creativity (the first student to post a response may earn more points in this category)
Critical Thought & Intellectual depth
Use of textual evidence (direct quote and/or paraphrase)
Efficacy of Analysis
Organization & Development
Conventional English & Level of Sophistication
Points Value: 100
Due Date: Tuesday, August 28 by 5:00 P.M. (10% off each day late/Zero after Thursday, 8/30 at 5:00 P.M.)
Film Response: Write an organized, detailed response to one of the teacher-approved films listed. Use the provided questions to guide you. You should answer each question before you begin to write your response. You may include these in your dialectical notebook. Do not post a response without formulating an original thesis. In other words, this is not a Q&A or a checklist. Respond in essay form. **Please note that the response should not be a summary of the film, but a reaction to it. (I’ve seen each film many times.) No more than 300 words, please!
Films: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2000); The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002); The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003); Braveheart (1995); Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope (1977); Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980); Star Wars: Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983); Gone with the Wind (1939); Gladiator (2000); The Lion in Winter (1968)
Personal Responses and Reactions (adapted from Howard)
Identify what triggered your responses, not just your responses themselves. It is in this exploration that you analyze how those responses developed.
1. Who is the hero or heroine in the film? How do you know? (Identify and explain heroic character traits.) You may analyze both, where applicable.
2. What is the purpose of his/her journey? What is the significance of the setting?
3. Who or what is the “monster” (representation of evil, greed, etc.) he/she faces?
4. What human concerns do the screenwriter and director raise?
5. What kinds of characters have been created to represent these concerns?
6. What hopes, desires and fears do these characters possess?
7. What details are provided to help you envision how (and how successfully) each character tries to achieve what he or she wants?
8. What words/phrases demonstrate these traits?
9. What emotional responses does the film evoke?
10. What knowledge does it assume you have and what information does it provide?
11. What questions or concerns does it raise about the roles of the “hero” and the “monster” in contemporary society?
Works Cited
Howard, R. M. “The Critical Response.” University of West Virginia. n.d. Web. 4 Apr. 2011
RUBRIC: Scale of 1-5; 1 = poor; 2 = average; 3 = very good; 4 = excellent; 5 = outstanding
Category
Originality/Creativity (the first student to post a response may earn more points in this category)
Critical Thought & Intellectual depth
Use of textual evidence (direct quote and/or paraphrase)
Efficacy of Analysis
Organization & Development
Conventional English & Level of Sophistication