Responding to one of the questions below, write a research essay of five pages in length. In your answer, consider the central arguments or goals of the documentaries you are analyzing, and draw on course terminology and concepts, as well as your research materials. Your opening paragraph should include the title of the works you are analyzing, the year of their release, and a simple thesis that organizes your work. You may select any documentary listed on the course syllabus with the exception of The Office, as it is a television work. Most course films are available online or in the library, but feel free to contact me if you are having trouble accessing any of them. You may also, if you choose, select one documentary, out of each question’s required two, from outside the course. However, if you do so you must check with me prior to writing your essay to make sure your selected documentary fits the requirements of the assignment. Doing so will help you avoid including certain types of documentaries, primarily those from other media, that do not meet the specifications of our course. Essays including noncourse films that have not been cleared with me first cannot be accepted.
This is not a movie review or a plot summary, it is a research essay. This assignment tests your ability independently to conduct research relating to the interests of the course with a focus on scholarly and critical sources (including professional, print journalism). Library research and reviewing of select films will be necessary. A properly formatted bibliography with no fewer than five entries from outside of the course readings is required to demonstrate your research. The various “works cited” sections of the course readings will provide you with a solid starting point for scholarly work addressing the various subject areas. Acceptable citation guidelines are to be found in the Modern Languages Association Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (available online, in the library, and in most new and used bookstores). With the exception of scholarly and refereed journals available online (and through library-endorsed online databases; i.e. ProQuest, International Index to Film Periodicals) internet sources are not acceptable (i.e. Wikipedia, IMDB, Rotten Tomatoes).
The Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) provides valuable assistance for conducting research and offers resources to ensure you properly cite your work — https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/2/