Part 1: THE GODFATHER CLASSIC FILM
Create a new thread that contains the following:
List 10 general questions you have about the topic. These questions should be open-ended, and should not be answerable with a simple “yes” or “no.” See the Developing Research Questions page for examples. Then, try to narrow your focus by choosing 3 of the 10 questions that strike you as interesting. Note these 3 interesting questions in your post. Lastly, reflect on why those 3 questions interest you the most by writing an explanation of why they interest you underneath each of the 3 interesting questions.
* Locate sources of information about your refined research topic. As you locate good sources, complete step 2 below. Link for working Bibliography: http://spcollege.libguides.com/c.php?g=254159&p=1697156 * I. Essay Topic: Classic Film The Godfather
If you cannot find your film online, at a video store or at your local library, search the web or go to this website – you may be able to locate your film here: http://web.archieve.org Remember that each SPC library has a selection of films, so you may be able to locate your chosen film at one of the SPC libraries. Call one of the libraries and someone there should be able to research all campus libraries in an attempt to locate a film for you. After viewing and researching your film, develop a tentative thesis and submit it to the Research Essay Thesis Forum for peer review by two of your classmates and then your professor. The focus of the thesis will be what you believe to be the film maker’s message, the theme or the lesson learned you have taken away from the classic film you have selected and viewed. It will be a three-part thesis which covers the following areas for support of your focus: Characterization, Setting and Theme/Lesson Learned. Once your thesis is peer reviewed by your classmates and approved by your professor, compose a six (6) paragraph, min. 1,200 word/max. 1,300 word, Research Essay with a minimum 1,000 word Rough Draft which will first be submitted to the Turnitin Drop Box. Include at least three credible research sources within your essay as well as a Works Cited section using correctly formatted MLA documentation. PLEASE NOTE: At least one source must come from the SPC Library Online Database. Review the Research Essay Rubric as your guide for organizing, drafting, revising and editing this essay.
II. Essay Guidelines for Each of the Six Paragraphs 1st Paragraph: The Introductory Paragraph – Offer your overall impression of the film while providing the movie’s title, director and key actors. Then, provide a thesis where you state what you believe to be the film maker’s message – the theme OR the Lesson Learned – you have taken away from this classic film. Remember, this will be a three-part thesis where you state the central focus of the essay and then preview the three areas you will be discussing: Characterization, Setting and Theme. 2nd Paragraph: Body Paragraph, Decade Summary – Provide a brief overview of the popular culture of the decade in which your film was made, with an emphasis on how your film may have been influenced by the events of that decade. 3rd Paragraph: Body Paragraph, Characters/Characterization – Discuss the characterization(s) of one or two of the central characters in the film. How did the actors portray these key character roles? Provide specific examples/scenes from the film as you develop this portion of the essay. 4th Paragraph: Body Paragraph, Setting: Discuss the film’s setting. How did this setting enhance the film maker’s message? Was it believable? Provide specific examples/scenes from the film as you develop this portion of the essay. 5th Paragraph: Theme/LESSON LEARNED: What was the message about life/the theme or the LESSON LEARNED conveyed within this Classic Film? How did the filmmaker convey this message to his audience? 6th Paragraph: Conclusion: This is your opportunity to sum up what you have learned and to make your recommendation regarding this film! Refer to http://webuser.bus.umich.edu/Programs/BMC/Transitions.htm for the use of transitions in your writing.
