Cinematic Analysis

Interdisciplinary Project
Objectives:

9/11/15

Develop an understanding of the role of cinema as a reflection of culture and

society for each of the periods studied
Promote critical thinking skills in analyzing character and plot development
Advance a multidisciplinary approach to learning
Master the appropriate use of Modern Language Association citations

Overview:
Each student will be responsible for viewing one movie from the attached list
during each quarter, and completing the assignment below. Students should
integrate responses into an original thesis about its historical significance.
Completed assignments must be typed and must follow the CAP Style Manual.

Due Dates:
Due Date
1st Quarter

10/12/15

2nd Quarter

11/30/15

3rd Quarter

3/07/16

4th Quarter

4/25/16

Deadli
ne
10/15/
15
12/3/1
5
3/10/1
6
4/28/1
6

Turn In To:
Simel
Grossman
Jeral
Bustillos

Assignment Details
Complete Part A, Part B, and ONE of the sections of Part C
Part A: Summarize the elements of a plot by discussing: the introduction
(include establishment of setting), rising action (include establishment of
conflict), the climax, the falling action, and the denouement, or resolution. The
summary should be centered around the films theme or significant
meaning. The summary must be no longer than one page.
Part B: Describe the historical setting of the film and the significant aspects of
American society portrayed. This requires some research and the use of at least
two citations. Explore the films historic accuracy, its significance at the time it
was produced or the historiography (biases) presented in the film. Remember to
include MLA based in-text citations, from at least two outside sources, and to
include a Works Cited Page.

Part C: Complete ONE of the following options (Be sure to include the writing
prompt you respond to in the paper:
1. Discuss how various cinematographic techniques are used to increase
the viewers awareness of the setting, characters or plot development.
2. Evaluate the impact of the movie on American culture and society OR
its significance in the development of the film industry. Again, this will
require in-text citations.
3. Analyze the use of metaphor and imagery in the film, citing several
examples.

Grading Rubric
Excelle
nt ( 5)

Good
(4
-4.5 )

Weak
(3-3.5)

Part A - Plot summary accurately

discusses all elements of a plot and is
centered upon the films theme.
Analysis of theme is not merely a
restatement of the plot, but goes
beyond the obvious (what questions is
the director attempting to resolve).
Part B - Historical significance of film is
adequately explained and adequately
supported with at least two outside
sources. The historical accuracy,
significance or historiography presented
in the film should be explored.
Part C - Information and analysis are
accurate and supported with details
from the film and outside sources where
appropriate.
Grammar and Style- The diction is
sophisticated and the syntax is varied.
Sentences are written in present tense
(with possible exception for the
Historical significance component) and
are mostly free of grammatical and
syntactic errors.

Grade Conversions
Total Score______/20
18-20- A 16-17- B

14-15 -C

12-13- D

0-11- E

Turnitin.com The cinematic analysis must be submitted to

Turnitin.com by the due date to avoid penalty. If not submitted at all
50% will be deducted from the grade.

Poo
r
(12)

MLA Format
You must include in-text citations and a works cited page with your analysis.
The Modern Language Association is responsible for developing the rules that
govern how to appropriate cite outside works. Go to
http://cap.mbhs.edu/resources.html or
http://imc.mbhs.edu/resources/bib/mla.pdf for a basic overview of MLA
formatting. Parenthetical citations are used in the text of your paper to credit
the origins of the idea or thought used. If the author, page number or website
is not mentioned in the text of the paper it must be parenthetically cited as
follows:
Ragtime, the 1981 film about life at the turn of the 20 th century director Milos
Forman creates characters with great clarity in the few narratives he explores
amidst the jumble of tales originally explored in E.L. Doctrows bestselling
novel (Ebert, rogerebert.com).

Plagiarism
In order to avoid all instances of plagiarism all cinematic analyses must be
submitted to Turnitin.com by noon on the Due Date.