GUIDELINES FOR WRITING A “Non-Film Paper” WITH FILM EVIDENCE

1.)     Formulate an original and argumentative thesis:

a.       Example à Halloween indicates that when the Final Girl eventually claims masculinity through violence, she takes the gender role away from the killer, therefore debilitating him and becoming powerful herself.

2.)     Use CLEAR and ASSERTIVE topic sentences that relate back to your thesis:

a.       The zombies are clearly of a lower class than the rest of the characters in the film, depicting a fear of mob mentality.

3.)     Use all aspects of the film to prove your point:

a.       Because this is not a strict film essay, professors will most likely approve of using “non film” observations

b.        Take note of plot, dialogue, narrative structure, and story line

c.       Imagery and symbols are very important within film

                                                               i.      For instance, guns often display phallic imagery

d.       Take note of how the characters progress and change throughout the film.

e.       Take special note of costumes, environment, background action, mise en scene (scenery and props), as well as any other details you may notice.

f.        Power is often very important in film.  Take note of whether the characters seem large or small in relation to the screen, or if there is a transformation in how they look from beginning to end.

g.       Example à Carpenter depicts Laurie as a braniac, which prevents her from being as feminine and sexual as her friends.  For instance, she carries around a stack of books at the beginning of the film, whereas her friends discuss shopping, dating, and fashion.

4.)     If you are familiar with film analysis, use mini-shot analyses to further your thesis:

a.       Example à Carpenter shoots Laurie in profile, so that her face is in the foreground and the sleeping children in the background.  Her face takes over the screen, literally looking over the children.  She is depicted as motherly—a protector, unafraid of what lies ahead.

5.)     Make sure you have ample critical sources.

a.       Make sure you analyze your sources- do not take them as fact.

b.      Example à Clover states that “The Final Girl is boyish, in a word,” but discounts the fact that Laurie is simultaneously coded as feminine.

6.)     Always relate back to your thesis and bring the observations to a further analysis:

a.       Example à Carpenter appears to avoid simplifying Laurie’s connection to either a masculine or feminine stereotype too early on  in the film.  Only at the end of the film, when Laurie must adopt violence, does she fall into the male gender role.

7.)     Conclusion:  Reassert your thesis and push your argument forward so that you stress the importance of the essay and why an examination of the film is necessary in relation to your subject matter.