The final work product is to have a minimum of one page annotating the politics involved in the plot of the film and a minimum of two pages analyzing the film using each of the questions/prompts provided for this activity
Guidelines for the Film Report:
1. Follow all of the formatting guidelines for this course. In this case, place the title of the project, your name, course and section number on a cover page. Be sure to include a word count for each report (excluding the citation and any extensive quotes).
2. Provide a one-page detailed annotation using the following criteria:
a. The annotation must be in your own words, using the language of a political science student. Do not submit something like the film abstract found online or on the back of the DVD (a summary). The purpose of the annotation is to demonstrate your ability to identify the political ideas being conveyed in the plot of the film. In other words, what are the political points being made and how did they evolve during the plot of the film?
b. Someone reading your annotation should get a general feel about the political issues being engaged in the film without having to see it. Writing a good annotation is challenging, this is very different from a “book report” or summary type activity. You may want to review the film more than once before you begin writing. You are to use your own judgments, no one is permitted to use outside sources for this aspect of the project.
c. Do not express your feelings, reactions or personal views in the summary. That is the purpose of the opinion page, a separate requirement within this project. Be sure to keep your opinions separate from your report (stay objective).
d. The annotation for each film report must be 1 full page in length. If too short, it doesn’t provide enough information; if too long, you are probably trying to put in all the facts or details, which is not the purpose of annotating.
3. Clearly identify how the film ties in with relevant course material. You are expected to make specific references to at least 4 different scenes from the film.
4. Indicate whether the film provided sufficient evidence or facts to support the main idea(s). Give specific examples to support your answers. You will need to cite historical or current events. List all outside sources on a works cited page.
5. Explain whether or not the content was biased or objective (films often use bias intentionally to convey an idea). Provide at least 2 specific examples from each film to support your analysis.
6. Provide the writer’s / director’s / author’s qualifications on the subject matter. Who you investigate depends on the source of the film. If it is based on a book, you would research the author. If you find the qualifications are in another subject area, be sure to mention what you found and where you found it. List your sources on a works cited page.
7. Identify at least 2 things you learned from the film about the world of politics that were not specifically addressed in the formal course readings, lectures or videos.
8. On a separate “Opinion Page” – State your personal opinion of the film. Think of your audience, try to rate it in terms that would appeal to your fellow students. Would they find it useful or interesting? This is where you get to play the role of a film critic. The opinion page should be no more than one paragraph on a separate page.
9. Proofread. The final product must be grammatically correct. It is your responsibility to find someone (friend, fellow student, English teacher, English tutor, relative, neighbor, etc.) to go over your rough copy and make corrections before your final copy is prepared. I do not expect perfection, but I do expect college level performance. Thus, your writing should demonstrate what you have learned in class through your written analysis. Suggestion: sometimes it’s a good idea to read your final copy out loud to yourself to hear if it makes sense.
Project Checklist (do not turn in your report until you answer YES to each question below):
o Have you read, re-read and carefully followed the requirements for the project? Have all the formatting requirements been met?
o Did you write an concise political annotation of the film in your own words? Does it meet the minimum/maximum writing requirements?
o Have you explained the connection of the film to the course using 4 different scenes from the film?
o Did you indicate whether the film provided sufficient facts based on historical / current events to substantiate the main idea(s)? Have you included a works cited page for these references?
o Did you indicate whether the film was biased or objective? Did you explain and give at least 2 examples?
o Have you provided background information on the writer / director / author? Have you included a works cited page for these references?
o Did you identify and discuss two concepts you learned from the film or program that were not specifically addressed in the course material?
o Is the report a minimum of 3 full pages (excluding the opinion page), with one page dedicated to the annotation of the film?
o Does your personal opinion appear on a separate page? Is it written for the appropriate audience?
o Have you done everything possible to ensure the report is grammatically correct? Have you asked someone to proofread your draft before preparing the final copy (preferably a tutor from a campus writing lab )?
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