Paper writing guidelines (3)

Your next paper is due on Wednesday, Dec. 11th. Like your other papers, this assignment is to be 3 pages long. Set your word processor so that your paper has one inch margins, uses 12 point New York Times font, and is double spaced.

You will be writing an analysis of either Cléo de 5 à 7 or of La Haine, in this paper, with a special focus on the uses of stereotypes in the film. You can either select one stereotype and follow its development throughout the film, or focus on one particular scene and discuss how that scene develops a stereotypical image/scenario. A third option would be to compare and contrast two different stereotypes and the ways in which they are mobilized in the film you select.

Your paper must have a strong thesis statement. Your thesis statement should contain an argument which the rest of your paper will prove, and each paragraph should relate back to your thesis statement. The thesis should elucidate what you think this film is about and how stereotypes support that message.

In the body of your paper, draw on the articles we have read in class to define your terms and/or put your discussion into a broader scope of ideas. Use at least two different articles we have read. Be sure to cite the source of the information you use: in the body of your paper, give the author’s name and the page number in parentheses. In a footnote, give the rest of the bibliographical information:

Author’s Last Name, Author’s First Name. “Title of Article.” Title of Book or Anthology the Article is in. Editor’s name. Place of publication: Publishing Company, Date. Page numbers.

Be sure to use lots of examples from the film to support your interpretation. Be sure to describe the scene in detail, including what is happening with the camera movement/angles, lighting, sound track, etc. Once you’ve described the scene, interpret it: how does the lighting contribute to the development of the stereotype you are discussing? How does the music that is playing on the soud track create a specific image/emotion, and how is that image/emotion tied to a stereotype? What effect does the slow motion have on the message of the film?

You will be graded on the following criteria:

1. The depth and originality of your analysis. How much textual evidence do you give, and how well do you analyze that evidence? How much does your paper repeat what was discussed in class, and how much new insight does it contain? I want to learn from all of you!

2. The integration of critical materials into your paper. How well do you demonstrate an understanding of the articles we have read? How well do you make connections between the articles and the film?

3. Organization. Does your paper have a clear thesis? Do the paragraphs flow logically from one to the next?