Film Analysis Paper

Film Analysis Paper Guidelines

The film analysis papers, each of which constitutes 30% of your grade are essentially identical in description. In each case, you are to compose a thesis paper that analyzes a single element in one film, and builds it arguments based upon brief examples from the film. This thesis paper format is very common in college literature, film, media, social science and humanities classes, and may be familiar to you from high school.

The idea is to choose a film, either from those listed on the syllabus (or a film that you clear with me beforehand by email or in person) that is based upon a thesis, which is a single premise, stated in your first two or three sentences which lays out the point of view which you intend to argue in support of throughout the paper. The thesis is the reason you are writing the paper, which is an attempt to inform and convince your reader that this premise is based upon facts gathered from the text you are analyzing, in this case a film. Your thesis statement lets your reader know what to expect from the paper, and lays out the case you intend to make in support of your premise.

Your paper’s title, the first thing that your reader will see, should reflect your thesis. If you are writing a paper on Citizen Kane for example, your paper’s title should NOT BE Citizen Kane. That is the film’s title. Your title should reflect the intent of your argument, your thesis. So, a paper on Citizen Kane that focuses on the film as a reflection of the impact of the loss of a mother’s love on Kane’s emotional development, might be called A Mother’s Love: a Commodity Money Can’t Buy.

The outline for a thesis paper would follow this format, though the paper itself would not be in bullet form:

• Thesis statement- Lays out your premise clearly in one or two simple sentences.
  • Argument 1- Start with your strongest evidence from the film that supports your premise.
    • Example 1- A VERY BRIEF description of the scene that you are using as evidence of your first argument.
    • Example 2- A VERY BRIEF description of the second scene that you are using as evidence of your first argument.
  • Argument 2- Continue, using your next strongest supporting argument.
    • Example 1- A VERY BRIEF description of the scene that you are using as evidence of your second argument.
    • Example 2- A VERY BRIEF description of the second scene that you are using as evidence of your second argument.
  • Argument 3- Continue, using your next strongest supporting argument.
    • Example 1- A VERY BRIEF description of the scene that you are using as evidence of your third argument.
    • Example 2- A VERY BRIEF description of the second scene that you are using as evidence of your third argument.
  • Conclusion- Close your paper by re-asserting your thesis, bringing your arguments back to your original thesis.

All of the ideas in your paper MUST BE YOUR OWN. The only two sources you can use are your brain and the film itself. No citations are necessary, since there will be no outside sources used or allowed. You may consult IMDB.COM only in order to confirm the spelling of the character names and the names of cast and crew members. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS PAPER, ANY OTHER SOURCES CONSULTED WILL BE CONSIDERED PLAGIARISM, A VIOLATION OF THE CODE OF ACADEMIC CONDUCT OF UNION COUNTY COLLEGE RESULTING IN IMMEDIATE FAILURE AND POSSIBLE FURTHER SANCTIONS AND PENALTIES.

The idea of this paper is to encourage you to generate your own ideas about the film, and lay that out in your own thesis, argue the thesis persuasively using frequent brief examples, and conclude by confidently asserting that you have made your case. This is a means by which you will improve two of the very most desirable skills that employers (and your future professors) will look for in prospective employees and bachelor’s degree students- the ability to analyze data and think critically, and then express these ideas in writing.

Here are some other things to avoid-

Laundry List- Do not start with one idea or thesis and switch in the middle to another thesis, or multiple theses. Stick to your thesis, support it with arguments and examples and drive on straight to your conclusion.

Opinion\Homage- You can express your opinion in the course of your analysis and your arguments, but simply trashing or adoring a film is not analysis. One type of opinion paper is an homage, which is based upon arguing that the film is great or a classic. I know this, that is why the film is on the syllabus. As your reader, tell me something new and interesting that you uncovered in your close viewing and analysis of the film.

Review- This is not a thumbs-up or thumbs-down process. See the prior item.

Plot Summary- Do not simply recount what happens in the film. You are to assume that your reader has seen the film. Why would anyone read an analysis of a film they haven’t seen? When referring to a scene in a film it is sufficient to briefly indicate which scene you are referring to, in order to ground your reader through your example. But do not follow the plot in a linear fashion. If you keep saying “And then…and then…” like the drive-thru scene in Dude, Where’s my Car?… then you are doing a plot summary.

Some formatting rules- The paper should be 3-5 pages typed, double-spaced, Times New Roman 12pt, with 1” margins all around. Your title should be just below the line with your name flush left and the date flush right. And again, it should not be the title of the film. And just so you know, a three page paper has writing on most of all three pages- a paper that ends at the very top of page three is a two page, two sentence paper.

DO NOT USE OTHER SOURCES.