Length: 1.5-2 pages (not to exceed 2 pages)
Peer Review: 11/3 in class
Final Essay: 11/8 by 11:55 p.m.
Rhetorical situation:
You have just been selected to sit on Loyolas Film Committee. The committees first duty is to nominate films that should appear on the must-see list for the academic year 2023-24. The committee is asking each member to submit a film nomination and argument to support the selection. Members of the committee will view each nomination and consider arguments before voting on films that should be on the list. Finally, these films will be shown as part of a film festival during fall semester.
Also, see Chapter 17 in Everythings an Argument on how to write criteria of evaluation as support for your claim of value.
Topic 1
Films: A Star Is Born (2018) *required
A Star Is Born (1976) *required
One (1) additional film review *required
Develop a comparative analysis based on the latest adaptation of A Star Is Born (2018) directed by Bradley Cooper. Compare this film to the 1976 version of the same title directed by Frank Pierson, starring Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson. Comparison, for this assignment, is a rhetorical strategy to be used to help convince the University Committee and other readers that the latest version of this film is successful enough to make the list. The focus of this assignment is to develop an argument that persuades committee members that the 2018 film should be included on its list. Your essay should convince the committee, as well as others who have viewed the films, that your judgment is well-reasoned and worth serious consideration.
Explicitly state your thesis about the films success in the introduction of your paper, and establish clear elements that will be compared/contrasted, i.e., character(s), actors, music, costumes, and so on. Dont be too ambitious. Choose 2-3 elements to discuss thoroughly. Keep in mind that while this essay will, by necessity, discuss plot elements of the film, at no point should your piece be just summary. You must move beyond merely retelling the film story to addressing elements of the film that you determine contribute to its success. Remember that the success of an adaptation is not in its similarity (or difference from) the original, but in its ability to convey the theme and tone.
A successful paper must draw upon at least one film review (and optional other secondary sources about the film or film artists). Use New York Times Film Reviews or IMDb.com for authoritative sources. Be sure to list all sources, including the film, on a Works Cited page.
*Also required Focus Your Response and Building Credibility lists below
OR
Topic 2
West Side Story (2021) *required
West Side Story (1961) *required
One additional film review *required
Develop a comparative analysis based on the latest adaptation of West Side Story (2021) directed by Steven Spielberg. Compare this film to the 1961 version of the same title directed by Jerome Robbins and Robert Wise, starring Natalie Wood. Comparison, for this assignment, is a rhetorical strategy to be used to help convince the University Committee and other readers that the latest version of this film is successful enough to make the list. The focus of this assignment is to develop an argument that persuades committee members that the 2021 film should be included on its list. Your essay should convince the committee, as well as others who have viewed the films, that your judgment is well-reasoned and worth serious consideration.
Explicitly state your thesis about the films success in the introduction of your paper, and establish clear elements that will be compared/contrasted, i.e., character(s), actors, music, costumes, and so on. Dont be too ambitious. Choose 2-3 elements to discuss thoroughly. Keep in mind that while this essay will, by necessity, discuss plot elements of the film, at no point should your piece be just summary. You must move beyond merely retelling the film story to addressing elements of the film that you determine contribute to its success. Remember that the success of an adaptation is not in its similarity (or difference from) the original, but in its ability to convey the theme and tone.
A successful paper must draw upon at least one film review (and optional other secondary sources about the film or film artists). Use New York Times Film Reviews or IMDb.com for authoritative sources. Be sure to list all sources, including the film, on a Works Cited page.
*Also required: Focus Your Response and Building Credibility lists below.
*Focus Your Response (required for the film you choose)
When writing about the success of the film, you must discuss at least two (2) of the following:
Discuss one or more of the directors decisions(s) about the screen story. Point out any key elements that you regard as effective.
Discuss one of the major actors and his/her portrayal of a character in the film. For West Side Story, you must include a discussion of casting.
Discuss the music artists responsible (not just the actors) for the music in the film and evaluate the music choices.
Discuss dance and chorography in the movie.
Explain why this film story continues to attract audiences. What is its appeal?
