Essay Four: A Review of Something “Great”
This final essay will display the different writing modes and sets of skills that you have developed and practiced this semester, from narrative, to analysis, to argument. You are charged to find a creative work that you consider “great” and write a review extolling this “greatness.” The options include: a film, a poem, a short story, a sculpture, a graphic novel, a play, a designer’s seasonal collection, or a video game. No music (sorry). No sports. If you are not sure your topic will work, be sure to clear it before writing the essay. As an added challenge—I’d encourage you to write about something that is not your chosen creative activity. The reason: it is sometimes easier to write about something that you are not so closely invested in and it would be interesting to hear about how your creative point of view informs your appreciation of this creative piece.
This should be a thesis-driven essay--though the thesis need not be in the first paragraph--that is based not just on an opinion, but a substantiated argument. Sentences like, “I love the scene where Michael Corleone” will be less effective. Try instead to write something like: “When Michael Corleone pauses in the bathroom, before leaving to assassinate Sollozzo and the Irish cop, he places his hands on his hair in a moment of contemplation and the viewer sees that this character is thoughtful, determined, and about to be drastically changed.”
It will also be important to force yourself to focus thematically and incrementally. Is there a theme that is being developed? Does a character go through a particular crisis that teaches the audience something about humanity? Is there a particular moment, or line, or stanza, or dress, or panel, or… that says something much larger about the work of art, character, etc. If you find yourself making vague qualitative declarations (“this is just good”), point to something specific.
There are many ways to go about this: it will be necessary to show how your subject meets (or reacts against) certain artistic standards, and how the subject fits into a larger tradition. You will also need to address any “weaknesses.” Anticipate the questions or objections of someone who would dispute the quality of your subject. For this reason, it might be helpful to look at other commentary on your subject (but don’t ape one particular argument). You should use at least two outside sources for this essay, and cite sources according to MLA guidelines.
Protocols:
3 Full Pages (12 pt. font), plus Works Cited Page
A stunning title.
Two outside sources.
You can only use the word “great” one time (and only if necessary).
The Schedule (I will be adding short pieces with ample notice, or as in-class reading)
Hacker=Rules for Writers
11.17 Intro Prompt: Screen Film
11.19 Finish Film, Read Hacker 27-31
11.24 Skim Hacker, 80-120; Read Allen Ginsberg’s “Howl” http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15308
11.26 Thanksgiving: No Class
12.1 Read Flannery O’Connor Story (Handout), Skim Hacker 120-145
12.3 Reading TBA, Skim Hacker 270-311
12.8 No Class (Work Day, Appointments)
12.10 Portfolio Due
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