Reference no: EM133544394

 

DIRECTION
In this assignment you will watch a documentary film and read an article and then answer questions about the film and article.

To prepare for this assignment, watch any documentary film from the PBS Frontline website that is no older than ten years. Choose a film that interests you. There are hundreds from which to choose.

Chosen Article - "Fire in Paradise"

The article should come from a reputable source and contain at least eight paragraphs and should include a serious, lengthy, well-researched argument about one of the main topics of the film. For example, if you chose to watch the film The Healthcare Divide, you might consider finding an article about health insurance from the library database. If you watch Plastic Wars you might find an article about corporate pollution or recycling.

The article's main topic should relate strongly to one of the main topics of the film.

Approach both the film and the article with an interest that puts aside any emotions or ideas you might have about the topic and instead try to analyze the content objectively. Part of this assignment requires you to analyze the evidence and credibility of the sources presented in the film and doing so requires that you acknowledge any bias that might involve your own political or philosophical beliefs. That does not mean to cast them aside -- just be aware of how your personal "lens" shapes how you interact with information.

Answer the following questions and remember to include the number of the question in your answer. Avoid writing in an essay format, and instead just put the number (such as 1) and then your answer.

Question 1. Reflect on how a critical reader examines a text with a healthy skepticism. Drawing upon the strategies discussed in Chapter 1 and Chapter 4, what questions might be most important to ask when reading an argumentative text? Identify a specific genre of argumentative writing (such as an editorial, movie review, or position paper) and explain some of the questions you should ask as a critical reader. (You come up with the questions. Your answer here demonstrates your ability to synthesize and reflect on the course content in these chapters.)

Question 2. Write a one-paragraph summary of the film you chose to analyze. Provide the title of the film at the beginning of your paragraph. Place a film title in italics (never " " marks).

Question 3. Regarding the film, what information or features cue you into the fact that this is a documentary film about a newsworthy issue? In other words, how does the way in which this director uses elements such as cinematography, music, narration, interviews, etc., indicate the genre of the film?

Question 4. Which moments in the film did you find most intriguing? Did you have strong reactions to any particular scenes or stories? Which ones and why?

Question 5. Most documentary films try to present a problem (or problems) and potential solutions. Describe in your own words the problem presented in the film. What needs correcting in our environment or our society? Use examples from the film to illustrate.

Question 6. Do you agree with the solutions presented? Describe why or why not. If no solutions are presented, what solutions would you present? Use examples from the film to illustrate.

Question 7. Describe your overall impression of this film as well as your position in regards to the issue as presented in the film. Use examples from the film to illustrate.

Question 8. Write a one-paragraph summary of the article you chose to analyze. Provide the title of the article AND the author/s name/s at the beginning of your paragraph. Place an article title in " " marks (never italics).

Question 9. How does the article support, illuminate, or contradict any of the information or opinions expressed in the film? Include one quote from your article in your response. Include a citation to your quote. Click here for detailed help in how to add a quote and in-text citation. Your quote should not overwhelm your answer. Aim for just a meaningful phrase or a sentence or two at max. Your quote should be integrated into your writing. Don't throw it at the beginning or end of your response. (Again - watch my video review on how to do this.)

Question 10. What is outstanding (good, bad, outrageous, noteworthy, unusual) about the piece of writing? What is engaging? Boring? Fascinating?

Question 11. How would you describe the author's voice? Consider the rhetorical situation. How does the author craft the article in such a way as to communicate an idea or mood?

Question 12. Consider both formats (the film that you watched and the article that you read) in which the same topic is discussed. Which format do you consider more effective for communicating the urgency or importance of the issue? Why do you feel this way?