Instructions for Presentation Papers

Presentation Papers:

N. B. If you have not written a film paper before, I strongly recommend that you review the pamphlet Writing About Movies on reserve for this class (especially pages 12-21).  It has excellent suggestions for writing papers about films.

1) Your 8-10 page paper should bring together:

a.      analysis of the film discussed on the day of your presentation, and any other films we've seen in the class relevant to your thesis. NOTE, though, that you need not use the same thesis you used in the your presentation. You may write on any aspect of your film that appeals to you: e. g. its relation to its original source (if a play or novel); its director; a comparison of it with another film of the genre; a study of one of its actors, etc. 

b.     quotations from 3 secondary sources, in addition to readings assigned for class that you want to use
*

c.     close reading of key scenes using appropriate tools of cinematic analysis. You may employ formal analysis (that is, analysis of the film's form--how it tells its story), genre study, auteur criticism (a focus on the director of the film and her or his body of work), ideological criticism (e. g. what the film says about gender or race), or a combination of these approaches.

d.      an original and compelling thesis that, at least in part, contextualizes your film within the genre of the romantic comedy. It's very important that you make this a film paper; your thesis needs to engage with the cinematic elements that communicate the story to the viewer.  If your argument could pertain to a version of the same story printed in a book or performed on a stage, then you have not written a film paper.

* = in order to find 3 relevant quotations, you may need to read through MORE than 3 sources.  I STRONGLY recommend that you use articles other than those available on JSTOR, whose collection of materials is very limited.  Stonehill's library has a strong collection of books on film.  Go to the library, browse the stacks, and you will probably find more--and do so more quickly--than looking for items on JSTOR.  In addition, you have the time necessary to order articles through Interlibrary Loan.  Exercise this option as well.  Be sure, too, to use the Library Guide for Cinema Studies classes.

2)    Format your papers with 1" margins on all sides, double-spaced, and fonts no larger than 12 point (scaled roughly to Times New Roman size).  Cover sheets are a waste of paper, but a thoughtful title is always appreciated.
3) I may ask you to submit your papers to Turnitin, depending on the subject of your paper.

4)    Due Date: your presentation paper is due 1 week after your presentation (though this is negotiable)

5)    Drafts: If you choose, you may regard your 1^st submission of the presentation paper as a draft, which I will comment on and return to you.  You have another week in which to respond to my comments and revise the paper. Turn the revision in with the original draft and my comments at the same time you hand in your final paper. The higher grade will replace the lower.

With your draft and final paper, do also turn in copies of the secondary materials you used in writing your papers or the web addresses if they’re online. When you turn in your final paper, be sure to attach all earlier drafts (ideally with my comments).

I also encourage you to bring rough drafts to my office hours for discussion.  Sometimes we can have even more productive meetings if several presenters come together to these meetings.  I cannot read emailed drafts (unless I specifically ask for them).

6)    The grade on late papers and late viewing questions will drop 10 points per calendar day that the paper is late. A paper is considered late if it is turned in after the end of class on the day it is due. All due dates on the syllabus are firm.

7)    If illness prevents you from turning a paper in on time, email me as soon as possible, and we’ll make appropriate arrangements.  If you have a computer draft of a paper, you may email that to me on the due date.