LIT227 AND ENG111
Major Paper Number 1
Assignment: 100 points
Instructors: Hill and Ketchum
Background

Although a variety of types of writing such as description, comparison and contrast and other patterns of development exist, two major types of essay writing are narration and argument. There are all kinds of ways to approach an essay – particularly an argumentative essay. But what is argumentation?
Andrea Lunsford, in Easy Writer, 3rd Edition, simply defines argument as “a text – whether verbal or visual – that makes a claim and supports it fully” (20). Meanwhile, Elizabeth Penfield, in the text, Short Takes, 4th edition, says that “argument attempts to move the reader to action or to adopting the writer’s conviction” (05).
Richard Marius, in the second edition of A Writer’s Companion, defines argument as “the effort to make readers accept the writer’s point of view rather than another” (59). He goes on to say that "some people dislike the word argument because it sounds pugnacious. But it is a civilized term; we make arguments instead of war. We persuade people, rather than beat them into submission” (59). And in his third edition of A Writer’s Companion, Marius reminds us that: “You cannot argue well about issues that no one disputes” (62).
Assignment
Write a 4-5 page, typed, double-spaced paper on an argumentative topic or issue related to film.

·  Review the argumentative material in your textbooks and class material.

·  You are not obligated to use the ideas below. Other topics, however, must receive instructor approval. Remember, your topic must be debatable and it must be related to film.

·  Some preliminary readings have already been provided to you for background. You may use them as sources.

·  Keep in mind that we are more interested in your ideas and the manner in which you develop and support them rather than the opinions of others.

·  Limit your references to no more than a total of three outside sources. Although this is not a full-blown research paper, list at the end of your paper any outside sources that you used to help shape your ideas.

·  Follow the basic MLA format described in your handbook.

·  See pages 29-41 of your film text supplement, Writing About Movies, by Karen Gocsik and Richard Barsam, for a very good discussion on writing papers.


Sample Questions

  1. Should companies such as CleanFlicks be able to sell edited versions of movies in order to make them more “family friendly?” See related reading.
  2. Rap and hip hop stars are increasingly featured in movies today (see related reading). Are rap stars good or bad for the movie industry and professional actors?
  3. Numerous studies have proven that smoking is harmful to our health. A variety of no-smoking policies are already in place throughout society. For example, smoking “anywhere, by anybody” is prohibited at Delta College. As a continuation of the no-smoking/public health movement, should smoking scenes be banned from movies? See related reading.
  4. Should movies – fiction or non-fiction – that depict the assassination of current public figures, such as the president of the United States, or celebrities, be shown in American theaters? See related reading.
  5. A company, Regal Entertainment, recently announced that it distributed hand-held “guest complaint” devices to customers as a means of improving moviegoers’ etiquette. Is the use of such technology good for the movie theater business?
  6. Some filmmakers, such as Michael Moore (Bowling For Columbine, Sicko) and Morgan Spurlock (Super Size Me) have been accused of stretching the documentary format too far. Have these filmmakers gone too far? In your discussion, develop a list of do’s and don’ts that you would like to see documentary filmmakers to follow.


Paper Criteria

  1. Get topic approval from your instructor if your question is not one of the suggestions. Your topic must be in the form of a question, debatable and related to film similar to those already listed.
  2. Use the MLA format in terms of citing any outside sources (limit three) at the end of your paper and page formatting.
  3. Title – can’t be generic “Major Paper One.” The title must be authentic to your paper.
  4. The paper’s opening must catch the reader’s attention
  5. Main idea goes near the opening. (See example(s) in your books for details.) The main idea should answer your question.
  6. Use “signal phrases” when citing sources, but both limit and vary your use of this technique.
  7. If you do decide to use a long quote (more than four lines) use block quote format or the "Increase Indent" tool (Word).
  8. Support each point you are trying to make. Do not cram your paragraphs with evidence. Try to develop one main point per paragraph (topic + support = paragraph, not topic+topic+topic with no support).
  9. Keep the paper interesting by having an appropriately attention getting opening paragraph and maintaining a lively or interesting tone throughout for reader interest.
  10. Also show that you considered other points of view and why you still think what you think.
  11. You might need to pose solutions to problems you identify.
  12. End on a strong note, restating your position in an interesting way.
  13. Make sure your paper is well-edited and lacks technical errors.
  14. Avoid underselling (“This is just my opinion”) or overselling your ideas by trying to cover too much material.
  15. Contact your instructor(s) if you have any questions.