The Classic Film Research Essay Guidelines
• Classic Films are often distinguished or unique works of cinema that have transcended time and trends with indefinable quality. They contain a timeless message for the audience!
• Classic films are often universal favorites that hold up after repeated rescreening.
• In other words, classics are renowned films of first rank, reference points in film mythology or films that have become a part of American cultural folklore.
I. Essay Topic: Classic Film
1. Your Classic Film from the 90’s Romeo & Juliet directed by Baz Lurhmann
2. The focus of the thesis will be what you believe to be the film maker’s message, the theme or the LESSON LEARNED you have taken away from the classic film you have selected and viewed. It will be a three-part thesis which covers the following areas for support of your focus: Characterization, Setting and Theme/LESSON Learned.
3. compose a six (6) paragraph, minimum 1,200 word, Research Essay with a minimum 1,200 word Paper
4. Include three to five scholarly research sources within your essay as well as a Works Cited section using correctly formatted MLA documentation.
5. All sources must be credible scholarly sources.
II. Essay Guidelines for Each of the Six Paragraphs
1. 1st Paragraph: The Introductory Paragraph – Provide a Hook, Bridge, and Thesis for the film.
2. Remember, this will be a three-part thesis where you state the central focus of the essay and then preview the three areas you will be discussing: Characterization, Setting and Theme.
3. 2nd Paragraph: Body Paragraph, Decade Summary – Provide a brief overview of the popular culture of the decade in which your film was released, with an emphasis on how your film may have been influenced by the events of that decade.
4. 3rd Paragraph: Body Paragraph, Characters/Characterization – Discuss the characterization(s) of one or two of the central characters in the film. How did the director portray these key character roles? Provide specific examples/scenes from the film as you develop this portion of the essay.
5. 4th Paragraph: Body Paragraph, Setting: Discuss the film’s setting. How did this setting enhance the film maker’s message? Was it believable? Provide specific examples/scenes from the film as you develop this portion of the essay.
6. 5th Paragraph: Theme/LESSON LEARNED: What was the message about life/the theme or the LESSON LEARNED conveyed within this Classic Film? How did the filmmaker convey this message to his audience?
7. 6th Paragraph: Conclusion: This is your opportunity to sum up what you have learned and to make your recommendation regarding this film!
8. Use transition words in the essay.
9. The entire essay must be written in 3rd person only (a viewer, an audience, one, an individual, etc.).
No 1st person (me, I, my), 2nd person (you, your, you’re), or 3rd person (we, us, our) is allowed.