Overview
Overview 1
Choose an element of mise-en-scene from The Dark Knight Rises (Nolan, 2012). Consult this week's Course Notes, the Yale Film Analysis website, and A Short Guide to Writing About Film, 9th edition, pgs. 51-60 for definitions and discussion of mise-en-scene.
Write a paragraph (or two) explaining the motivation of this element in the film. Remember that motivation, in film criticism, refers to the purpose that the element serves in the film. What narrative or thematic importance does this element have in overall design of the scene or film? What meaning does this element have in the film?
Overview 2
Select an element of either mise-en-scène or cinematography that you find particularly important or interesting in the film The Dark Knight Rises (Nolan, 2012).
Write an introductory paragraph and a conclusion paragraph for a potential critical essay focusing on this formal element.
Your introduction and conclusion should do the following:
1. Describe the element you will be focusing on, placing it in the context of the film as a whole.
2. Explain the motivation or function of the element in the film.
3. Explain how the use of the element changes or develops throughout the film.
Remember that you are not writing the full essay! This assignment only asks you to submit the introduction and conclusion paragraphs.
Please consult this week’s reading in the textbook, A Short Guide to Writing About Film, for sample intro and conclusion paragraphs.
Keep the following in mind:
1. Although you are not writing the full essay, a strong introduction and conclusion not only states the thesis statement but also lets the reader know how you will prove your thesis. Therefore, you need to have some idea about the shape of the thesis as a whole. You may benefit from outlining the potential essay.
2. Your thesis statement will explain the function and importance of the element you have selected for the film as a whole.
3. Your conclusion should not merely restate the thesis, but also explain how different pieces of evidence contributed to your argument and, ideally, open your reader up to new questions.
4. Keep in mind the lessons from previous Writing Spotlights. Since this is the first time you are being asked to write full critical paragraphs in the class, we will be paying attention not only to the strengths of the intro and conclusion, but also to your ability to apply lessons in writing active sentences, using concrete characters, including subjects and verbs, etc.
5. Build on your work. Since this week’s Discussion Board assignment is to discuss the motivation of a filmic element, feel free to turn that into your thesis and then build on it to write a fleshed out introduction and conclusion.
6. When in doubt, ask for help!