 Who, being loved, is poor? –Oscar Wilde |
Good evening. I hope you are well. Today we are meeting at the cinema. The handout with directions and other particulars is reproduced here below. The essay you write will be descriptive, partly narrative, and argumentative to one degree or another. Title the piece and write from 450-500 words at least.
The goal of argument, most often, is to convince others that they should change their minds about some issue. Barack Obama, in trying to pass health care reform, sought to convince Congress and the American people that health care reform was in the best interests of citizens and the nation. In his speeches on the issue he compared numbers, best estimates of current and future costs under the current system, to the savings and proposed benefits of reform measures; he cited examples of citizens neglected or underserved by the current system and the kinds of coverage that would be available after reform. He argued that reform, for a number of sound reasons, economic and ethical, is necessary to the health of the nation. To “win” he had to convince others by providing reasons so compelling they agreed with his position.
.....................
Yet another goal of argument is to decide or explore rather than to convince others of the rightness of a position or particular judgement. Before making an informed decision or taking a position, we need an adequate acquaintance with a subject or issue and the various perspectives in which it can be seen. Writing that presents information and perspectives to help people to understand an issue, a product, a service, or even a film, without presuming to have final answers, or any easy ones, is another goal of argument. Looking at the facts, asking questions, comparing perspectives, the writer prepares us to see the dimensions of the given subject.
A Film Review requires the reviewer put across a clear sense of the story being told or dramatized. The reviewer summarizes the themes and the action that drives the story forward, and the conflict at the heart of the plot events; the characters whose circumstances and actions we follow throughout; the setting elements generally and as highlighted by specific scenes; and the play of ideas the film puts in motion. A review is unified by the reviewer's opinion of the film's merit, including high notes and low notes, the best and the worst, the strengths and the weaknesses. The introductory paragraph introduces the film by title and director, and year of release.
For example: Adventureland (2009), written and directed by Greg Mottola, is a lyrical, funny, romantic comedy set among a group of eighteen to twentyish suburban kids who work the summer at a down-scale local amusement park and make the best of the opportunity it allows them for love and adventure.
The names of important characters should be introduced, and, if desired, the name of the particular actor playing the role. A brief summary of the characters and situations involved is appropriate. In a short essay, your focus may be limited to one or two characters, with mere mention of others. This rule applies to documentary films, too. The thesis or central idea of the review/essay should be hinted at if not stated outright in the opening lines. The body paragraphs should illustrate by means of description key scenes or events, and the ideas and emotions the film encourages one to take from these scenes and events.
The conclusion should underscore the reviewer's central idea in a fresh way. Often this emphasis is created by focusing on the climax and conclusion of the film; however, you may focus on a particular or key image of character, setting, or action to make your thesis clear and convincing. Say you find a film beautiful and romantic in its depiction of the saving nature of love; your conclusion would provide reference to some aspect of the film's actions, characters, or images overall, to convey the impression you felt most strongly.
Field Trip: Class: Doyle, Nancy: 1101(N) Tuesday 6-9
To: Gateway Theater at 1820 East Sunrise Boulevard
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
(954) 763-7994
Admission: $6
Parking: free parking in the lot in back of the theater.
Contact: Nancy Doyle 954-732-6644
Assignment: We will be writing a film review based on the feature selected for the evening (TBA). The assignment is one form of primary research whose purpose here is to provide students opportunity to evaluate a recent release and present the their findings to the class. If you cannot come to tonight’s meeting, review any one of the films currently playing at the Gateway.
Driving directions to Gateway Shopping Center | |||
1799 SE 17th St Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 | |||
1. Head west on SE 17th St/N. Ocean Blvd. S toward Eisenhower Blvd | |||
0.8 mi | |||
2. Turn right onto US-1 N | |||
3.4 mi | |||
3. Slight right onto E Sunrise Blvd Destination will be on the right | |||
351 ft | |||
No comments:
Post a Comment