Science Fiction Analysis Write
Due to turnitin.com by Feb. 2nd (B day)/Feb. 6th (A day)
Thesis paragraph and outline due by 1/31.
Essays should be between 600-1000 words.
For your Science Fiction Analysis essay, you will consider the elements of science fiction as they appear in films studied (World of Tomorrow, A Trip to the Moon, Alien, Moon, The Fly,), as discussed in class, and as presented in excerpts from the texts.Then you will develop an essay analyzing how those elements appear one or more of those films.
You have a choice on how you organize your analysis:
*You may choose to explore a thematic strand and discuss how one or more of the filmmakers develop that theme using elements such as editing, light and color, camera angle, music/sound effects, etc.
*You may choose to explore a common film element such as editing, light and color, camera angle, music/sound effects, etc. and then compare and contrast how two or more of the filmmakers employ that element in their respective films and to what effect.
*You may choose a common theme or element and consider how that theme/element has evolved over the years, using at least 3 of the films.
*You may have an idea that you would like to explore that doesn’t conform to the three options listed above. If so, just pitch that idea to me and get my thumbs up.
Whichever strategy you select to organize your response, make sure you reference specific details from the films and use language appropriate to the study of film (refer back to your Mise En Scene packet and other materials distributed). The highest scoring papers will include at least one reference to film criticism. Your works cited page should include all films you reference, any text books you reference, and criticism.
RUBRIC:
40 points for ORGANIZATION
The highest scoring papers will have an introduction/thesis paragraph, well-planned body paragraphs with clear transitions between your ideas.
40 points for THOUGHFULNESS OF RESPONSE
The highest scoring papers will have a convincing presentation of the characteristics of science fiction and strong readings of the films explored. They will contain specific details that support their assertions and provide commentary connecting the details to assertions/carrying the ideas forward.
20 points for LANGUAGE
The highest scoring papers will use strong language with a variety of sentence structures, concise and precise expression, and vocabulary appropriate to the study of film.
Common Subjects in Literature
alienationfree will/will power patriotism
ambitionfriendship persistence/perseverance
appearance vs. reality games/contests/sports/tricks poverty
betrayalgreed prejudice
bureaucracy/orderguilt prophesy
chance/fate/luckheaven/paradise/utopia repentance
childrenhero/heroism resistance/rebellion
courage/cowardicehome revenge/retribution
cruelty/violenceinitiation ritual/ceremony
custom/traditionillusion/innocence scapegoat/victim
defeat/failureinstinct/heart vs. reason search for identity
despair/discontent/ journey social status
disillusionment
domination/suppressionlaw/justice supernatural/magic
dreams/fantasiesloneliness/alonenesstechnology
dutylove time/eternity/infinity
education/schoolloyalty war
entertainment/materialism women/feminism
amusement
escapememory/the past yearning
exilemen/masculinity youth
faith/loss of faithmob psychology
falsity/pretensemusic/painting/dance/the arts
family/parenthoodthe mysterious stranger