Film Analysis Paper Instructions

Film Analysis Paper Instructions This assignment will be checked using anti-plagiarism software and returned to your instructor with an originality report. Paper #1 may be written about ONE film shown in Weeks 1-4. Choose one of the following movies: Week 2: "Children of Heaven" Week 3: "Boys N the Hood" Week 4: "Mystic River" Write an analysis of the issues found in the movie you chose by examining 2-4 different themes in depth. Your content grade will be based on your ability to expand on aspects of planning or related issues in your own words. Be sure to include AT LEAST one reference to a class reading in your analysis. Make sure you properly cite any sources your paper references. We expect both a works cited page and in-text citations. In the same way you would use a quote or idea from a class reading, use scenes from the film as examples of your chosen planning, or related, issues. DO NOT write a summary of the film, discuss symbolism, or describe the characters in detail. Assume the reader has seen the movie. When you need to refer to a scene from the film in order to make your point, you should describe the scene in no more than one sentence. Here are some tips for writing your paper: Think of a position on a major planning or related issue you would like to analyze for the movie. Think of 2-4 statements that support your position. This is not a movie review. Avoid obvious or clichéd statements about what happened in the movie. Don’t talk about movie techniques and don’t mention the director, audience, or cast. In your intro paragraph, clearly state your position (identified in #1) and briefly mention your supporting statements (from #2). Each paragraph after your intro should be dedicated to explaining one of your supporting statements. You may use specific examples from the movie to provide further support and evidence. Write a concluding paragraph that essentially wraps up your position, and ideally sheds new light based on the arguments provided in the body of the paper. As you write, consider the question, “why is this important?” Can you argue that the problems and opinions expressed in the movie are important for planning, society, or the world in general? Dig deep into your chosen arguments in order to show a thoughtful analysis of the greater issue. Proofread very carefully for grammar, punctuation and clarity. Cite quotations and references correctly to avoid plagiarism. The essay should be at least 3 full pages but no more than 5 full pages. It must be double spaced and in 12 point Times New Roman font. Download and use the template under the Writing Guidelines tab for your papers to avoid losing points for formatting errors. Your TA will check your formatting and deduct points if you do not fill 3 pages. Use a formal tone and do not write in first and/or second person. Do not use rhetorical questions—they are too casual for this essay. An electronic copy of your paper is due to Blackboard by the due date listed in the Syllabus. Please upload your paper as a Word Document. Email your TA with any questions. Your TA will be happy to review a draft of your paper as long as you send it to them at least 7 days before the due date. Film Analysis Paper Grading Guidelines It is better to be prepared. Make sure you start thinking about the movie you would like to write about. Each paper must be a minimum of 3 full pages but no more than 5 full pages, double-spaced, and in 12 point Times New Roman font. It must analyze any ONE film that we have watched in class. We want your analysis of the film on issues relating to urban planning, design, environment, culture, and/or society. A list of issues/topics recommended for each film will be provided to you in class on the day the film in shown. Remember this paper is worth 1/4 of your grade. Refer to the following grading guidelines as you write your Film Analysis Papers. We will hold your papers up to these standards. Analysis Analyze means "to examine methodically and in detail." Analysis answers the question "Why?" or "Why is this important?" Relate the movie and your class readings to urban planning topics (or a related field). Include at least ONE of the class readings in each one of your papers. Use 2-4 of the related planning topics for each movie as possible topics for your papers. Ensure that each quoted or paraphrased reference is directly related to your argument. The use of irrelevant quotations or examples will not be counted. Do not summarize the movie. We've all seen them, get straight to the issues analysis part. You should provide examples from the film by mentioning only enough information to remind your reader of the scene. Think critically about the issues portrayed in the movies and read the supporting articles on Blackboard to get a better grip on issues. Become familiar with the term "Urban Planning" if you need to. Don't review the films, that is not the purpose of the paper. Don't waste your time writing about cinematographic styles or the "planning" of the movie itself. This class is called Urban Planning 200: Cities in Cinema, therefore any papers addressing these topics will automatically receive a failing grade, since it will be assumed that the student has ignored the guidelines and completely missed the point of the class itself. The following is an example of how a paragraph containing too much summary (the 1st paragraph) could be rewritten to include more analysis (the 2nd paragraph). Sentences written in red are considered to be film summary/discussion. These examples were taken from a past student paper: In every neighborhood scene, the streets were filled with community members commuting to their destinations by foot. At times, pedestrian travel can be quicker than using a car. As Isaac was leaving to find Tracy he paused to consider taking a different means of transportation. There was a bus, some taxis and a subway station but, the traffic was so intense, he chose to run instead. Consider the time sitting idle in a vehicle waiting for traffic to move. Walkable neighborhoods may prove to be time efficient and cost effective as well. As seen in Manhattan, pedestrians were a dominant force in the urban setting. In large urban environments, where heavy traffic coexists in walkable areas, it is important to accommodate pedestrians to ensure their safety. Constructing widened sidewalks and inserting plant life as a barrier between pedestrians and cars support safe and efficient pedestrian travel. Walkable neighborhoods provide residents access to basic necessities such as retail, work, school and leisure within a reasonable distance. Limiting vehicle dependence can prove to be more beneficial to community members than operating a car. Formatting Include your name, date, and class title at the top of the paper. Single-spaced. Use Times New Roman font, size 12. Double space your paper EXCEPT for the information at the top. Eliminate extra space before and after paragraphs (check your paragraph spacing settings). Use 1-inch margins on all sides. Ensure your paper is at least 3 full pages long, but no longer than 5 full pages. Cite your sources if you chose to use other information. If you don't, it will be considered as plagiarism. Reference all class readings you cite in your paper in a works cited page (using APA or MLA styles). Provide in-text citations for any quotes or paraphrasing in your paper (using APA or MLA styles). Feel free to use a citation generator if you need help creating citations.We recommend the Purdue Online Writing Lab (https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/) and RefWorks from the ASU Library (https://www-refworks-com.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/refworks2/default.aspx?r=authentication::init&groupcode=ASULibRefWorks). Italicize the titles of movies (e.g., Manhattan). Don't stretch your papers with unusual letter fonts, spacing, or plain rambling. We will discount points for any of these things. Large block quotes should be single-spaced. Download and use the template under the Writing Guidelines tab for your papers to avoid losing points for formatting errors. Grammar and Style Write a paper with a clear structure, that has an introduction, body and conclusion. Write in the 3rd person. Do not write in 1st person (I, me, we, us) or 2nd person (you, your). Do not use contractions (he’s, it’s, can’t, weren’t, etc.). Keep tenses consistent. Use formal language. Write as if you are delivering a speech, not talking to your friend. Start a new paragraph every time you begin a new idea or introduce a new theme. Paragraph lengths should be about 5-7 sentences. Use complete sentences and avoid run-on sentences. Avoid repetition of words or thoughts. Do not use overgeneralizations or big sweeping statements without a source. Use proper language, grammar and punctuation, if you are unsure about your writing skills use the resources available at ASU, such as the Writing Center. Click on the Student Resources & Accessibility or Online Academic Support tabs for more information. Proof-read and use spell check. The #1 biggest complaint from TAs is FORMALITY. Do not write your paper like you are talking to a friend. Use of slang, jargon, and other informal language is inappropriate when writing academic papers. Write clearly, descriptively, and avoid using clichés. In short, write as if what you are stating is fact. Facts require proof be it through examples, support, or other evidence, and personal opinions and stories are not considered proof. Try not to write in first person or introduce yourself into the paper. This is best done by avoiding using “I” or "we". For example if you want to say "I believe that the article clearly identifies some examples of successful infill development." you can avoid using "I believe" by stating "The article clearly identifies some examples of successful infill development." Since it is your writing, the reader realizes that it is your opinion and point of view. If you are addressing what you learned in the paper, you could write something like this: "Article X demonstrates that successful urban development and revitalization incorporates infill and community participation. As the article demonstrates, in the City of X's many successful community collaboration efforts go a long way to creating a strong sense of community."