Main

Main

Which film do you want to write about? Which approach do you want to use? If you’re doing an argument analysis, what is the key point the film is trying to convince you of? If you’re doing a craft analysis, what is the film trying to accomplish and which aspects of craft are you going to focus on?

Paper For Above instruction

The assignment requires students to select one documentary film from the list watched in class (Week 1 to Week 8) and develop an analytical essay proposal addressing specific questions. Students must specify which film they choose and identify whether their approach will be argument analysis or craft analysis. For argument analysis, students should articulate the central persuasive claim of the film—such as promoting a particular ideology or highlighting a societal issue—and examine how the film uses interviews, narration, imagery, cinematography, and editing to persuade viewers. For craft analysis, students need to determine what the filmmaker aims to accomplish—such as exploring personal experiences or portraying complex realities—and analyze how documentary techniques like camera movements, sound, editing, and technological choices facilitate that goal. The proposal should demonstrate a clear understanding of the chosen approach, sufficiently detailed insight into the film’s methods or message, and should include references to at least two class sources and two outside sources, cited in MLA style. The purpose of the proposal is to plan a 5-6 page (1,500-1,800 words) analytical essay that emphasizes depth over breadth, avoids unnecessary summary, and presents well-supported points with specific film examples and scholarly references. Students are expected to submit the proposal by the specified deadline, and subsequent drafts, culminating in the final essay, will be evaluated based on clarity of purpose, detailed analysis, proper sourcing, and proofreading. The final essay should be attached as a Word document named according to instructions, and submitted by email with the subject line "Analytical Essay." Feedback and grading will follow, with comments provided in track changes.

Introduction

Selecting the appropriate film and defining the analytical approach are critical initial steps in crafting an effective documentary analysis. The decision influences how the essay will be structured and what evidence will be prioritized. Clarifying whether your focus is on the persuasive strategies of the filmmaker or on the technical and artistic methods used provides a clear pathway for your analysis. Both approaches demand careful attention to specific examples from the film, as well as integration of scholarly and contextual sources.

Choosing the Film

Students should choose one of the documentaries watched during class, ensuring familiarity with its content and techniques. The selected film should resonate with the student's academic interests or research goals to facilitate a nuanced analysis. Popular choices might include Dziga Vertov’s “Man with a Movie Camera” for technical craft analysis or Leni Riefenstahl’s “Triumph of the Will” for argument analysis of political persuasion. The choice impacts the direction of the essay and the kind of evidence analyzed.

Approach Selection: Argument vs. Craft

The argument analysis examines the film’s persuasive intent. For example, a documentary aiming to influence public opinion about a socio-political issue would be dissected to reveal how visual and auditory elements serve this purpose. Conversely, the craft analysis emphasizes the filmmaker’s techniques, such as specific editing patterns or sound design, to understand how these methods contribute to conveying the film’s message or aesthetic.

Research and Source Use

Students are required to incorporate at least four sources. Two should be from class readings, with different chapters of the same book counted separately. Two additional sources may be scholarly articles, interviews, reviews, or historical context relevant to the film or its subject matter. Proper MLA citation is mandatory, including in-text citations and a Works Cited page. While more than four sources are permissible, students should prioritize close analysis of the film itself to maintain focus.

Analysis and Evidence

The core of the essay involves detailed, specific examples from the film, demonstrating an understanding of techniques or persuasive strategies. Avoid extensive plot summaries; instead, interpret how particular scenes, camera angles, sound choices, or editing decisions support the purpose of the analysis. When explaining these examples, relate them to broader filmmaking principles or historical context, supported by scholarly references.

Length and Submission

The final essay should span 5-6 pages, approximately 1,500-1,800 words, formatted as a Word document. The deadline for submission is 11:59 pm on November 8th. The filename should follow the instructed format, e.g., “Analytical Essay [Last Name].” The email subject should be “Analytical Essay.” The earlier stages, including proposal and draft submissions, are required earlier as specified.

Evaluation Criteria

The paper will be assessed on clarity of purpose, depth of analysis, use of specific film examples, proper MLA citation, and proofreading. Responses should demonstrate critical engagement with the film and sources, avoiding superficial points. The assignment emphasizes analytical insight over summary, with a focus on making reasoned, well-supported arguments that vividly illustrate the techniques or persuasive strategies identified.

Conclusion

This assignment offers an opportunity to develop a sophisticated understanding of documentary filmmaking—either through dissecting persuasive tactics or exploring technical craftsmanship—through close analysis supported by scholarly sourcing. Effective planning, precise focus, and clear writing are essential for producing an insightful and compelling analytical essay.

References

  1. Aufderheide, P. (2007). Documentary Film: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press.
  2. Deleuze, G. (1986). Cinema 1: The Movement Image. University of Minnesota Press.
  3. Hernández, R. (2016). Analyzing visual persuasion in documentaries. Journal of Visual Culture, 15(2), 193–208.
  4. MacDougall, D. (1998). The Intimate Enemy: Loss and Recovery of Self Under Colonialism. Routledge.
  5. Riefenstahl, L. (1935). Triumph of the Will. National Socialist propaganda film.
  6. Rosenthal, A. (2010). The craft of documentary filmmaking. Film Quarterly, 64(3), 34–43.
  7. Verge, K. (2010). Analyzing documentary techniques. Science & Education, 19(8), 751–768.
  8. Winston, B. (2004). Laboring in the Theaters of Sound: Sound, Technology, and Representation. Johns Hopkins University Press.
  9. Youngblood, G. (2013). Expanded Cinema. D. N. Rothschild & Sons.
  10. Zohl, T. (2014). The persuasive power of documentary narratives. Media, Culture & Society, 36(2), 159–172.

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