Essay #2:  Assignment and Guidelines

Length and Due Dates 

Length:  3.5-4.5 pages, formatted as described below
First Draft Due: Friday, May 19, by 4:00 p.m. at Kimberlee's office (Padelford A-16)
Conferences: Week of May 22
Final Draft Due:  Tuesday, May 30, with draft and conference materials attached 

Assignment 

You may write your essay on one of the following topics:    

1. In three of the films we have viewed this quarter, male characters take on female personas, either literally--as in All of Me--or as a disguise, as in Some Like it Hot and Mrs. Doubtfire.  Compare two of these films, exploring how and why gender switching functions as a source of comedy.

2. Analyze one of the films viewed during the second half of the quarter in light of Bergson's, Levowitz's, or Freud's concept of humor.  How does the theory elucidate the film's comedy and what about the film remains unexplained by a particular approach?

3. Develop your own question for this essay, focusing on the films viewed during the second half of the quarter.  Before writing your essay, you must have your topic approved by either Claudia or Kimberlee, or we will not accept your draft.

Guidelines

1) Because your audience has viewed the film(s), you do not need to summarize plot.  Instead, concentrate on analyzing the film and offering examples of specific scenes, narrative details, or cinematic techniques that support your claims. 

2) Essay #2 requires you to make an argument about the film(s).  A successful essay will pose a clear, defendable argument regarding the chosen topic and develop that argument over the course of the essay.  All summary, paraphrase, quotation, or description of images should be offered as part of an  analysis.  Each reference to the film(s) or reading should support your argument.  Follow the links for more information on writing about film and reading a film sequence.

3) If you draw on class reading in your essay, you must indicate the author's name and the page in parentheses at the end of the sentence in which you use the material.  You need not provide a works cited list.  For more information on citing sources, click here.  For information on avoiding plagiarism, click here.

4) Please submit essays on 8 ½" by 11" paper, titled, paginated, typed and double-spaced, with one-inch margins.  In the upper right hand corner of the first page, include your name, the course number, the assignment number, and the due date; this information should be single-spaced.  You may use a 10 or 12 point Arial, Bookman, Century Schoolbook, or Times New Roman font for your paper.

5) If you have questions or concerns about writing this essay or want to discuss ideas, please speak with us during office hours. We have set up an electronic discussion space for writers who would like to discuss ideas-in-progress with Kimberlee and other writers. Click here to go to the space.  Click here for instructions on using the space.

Grading

To view grading criteria for this assignment, click here.  Failure to submit a draft will bring a reduction of .5 in the paper grade, as will failure to show up for the conference; .5 will be deducted for each day a final draft is late, including weekends and holidays.