Overview
- only in present tense.
- Double space your paper.
- Use character names when discussing character actions and actor names, not the actor's real name (I.E., if you're writing about Threat Level Midnight, the main character is Michael Scarn, NOT Michael Scott.)
- Always cite author ideas as well as quotations.
- ALWAYS include a works cited page.
- Italicize all film titles.
- You will be docked points for every day it is late. All essays will be submitted through Turnitin to check for plagiarism, so don’t forget to cite your work where necessary.
- Since each short essay is only 500-750 words, (1500 for the Capstone paper) I expect most of the writing to be your own. However, a Works Cited page is REQUIRED. You must cite all sources, including Belton, the required articles, and the movie. (Refer to MLA link for further reference).
- No Sources are allowed other than those assigned for the course.
- If you do not meet the minimum word requirement, the highest possible grade is the percentage of your word count. (For example, if the minimum is 500 and you write 400 the highest grade you could get - if the paper was perfect - would be 80%).
- Your paper will be primarily graded on three criteria: 1) the clarity and conciseness of your writing; 2) proper use of
the sources in your paper; and, 3) the ability to identify an issue of race, class, gender and/or sexuality presented in
the film and synthesize the arguments as appropriate to the topic of your paper.
More information may be found on the following pages. Please read them carefully. The Grading Rubric explains
the criteria for grading your paper and provides a check list. The Assignment explains the purpose and mechanics of
the paper assignment.
In addition, please adhere to the following formatting:
Papers must be at least 1,500 words
The word limit does not include Works Cited page, footnotes, endnotes or header
Provide citations for anything you cite (Chicago or MLA style)
Do not use any sources that are not in your Anthology or the Belton textbook
No internet sources are allowed
Papers will be typed, double-spaced, in a 12-point font, and have 1 inch margins
Please feel free to schedule an appointment with me to discuss your film and topic.
If you are unsure as to how your film represents Race, Class, Gender, or Sexuality, ask. But remember: just
because the film does not directly address a subject DOES NOT mean it doesn't represent that subject. The
Pixar film Cars, for example, has no actual men or women characters, yet it does address gender issues. All
of the cars have a gender though they may not have a sex. Similarly, it also addresses race issues. Two
ways to look at race: 1) look at the very few number of cars that do not exhibit typical "white"
characteristics and see how they are represented; or 2) look at the lack of additional races and draw a
conclusion. Remember you are looking at representation NOT reality. Therefore, you must draw
conclusions about symbols of Race, Gender, Class, and Sexuality. Rarely will you discuss what the film
directly states about these issues. You need to view the film multiple times to do this effectively. And I
warn you, I have seen these films and I know them, so you must write a convincing argument.
If you turned in a Working Thesis, Outline and Bibliography, it should have been returned with comments
to help direct you.
The best papers/essays usually focus on only one multicultural aspect or major point (race, class,
gender or sexuality).
You must include a works cited page (Chicago or MLA format).
Penalties apply for late papers.
The purpose of this assignment is to demonstrate your ability to synthesize the information throughout the semester and apply it to a film NOT seen for class. For this paper you will take an outside film approved by your instructor and analyze it according to ONE lens (race, class, gender OR sexual orientation), using a minimum of three anthology articles to support your claims.