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Paper instructions:

FTV 252 Film Genre Essay – Due Week 8, March 1st (100 points)

In a well-written and well-reasoned argumentative essay, analyze one of the films provided below in terms of its genre conventions (theme, narrative, iconography, archetypes, etc...). Develop a thesis (your argument) and use class readings, lectures, outside sources, and, above all, evidence from the film itself to prove that your selected film subject represents its particular genre/film style. 
You must use three (3) sources; one source may be from available class readings, but two of your sources must be from outside of class. These sources may not be from Wikipedia, IMDB, or random unsupported blogs/websites; they must be from either published books and/or scholarly, peer reviewed articles and/or industry trade magazines found through the University’s online database. 
Be sure to identify the film’s genre or style – gangster film, film noir, or western – and specifically define its elements. You should also consider the film’s historical/social context in your analysis. In the body of the essay, you must explain how the film you have chosen fulfills that genre definition with close reference to no less than three key scenes. In your essay, you must discuss the filmmaker’s use of film form to support your thesis. Be sure to support each point with examples from the films and cite your sources. Your conclusion must go beyond repeating the thesis. 
Subject Films:

Film Noir: Out of the Past (Jacques Tourneur, 1946) 

**This paper must focus on one of the above films. If you turn in a paper that features any other film as its subject you will receive an automatic reduction of 50% of the total potential grade
The genre films for your paper can be found on Panopto. Go to "UA Tools" on the D2L course home page, and select "Panopto" from the drop-down menu. Then look to the menu on the left, and click on the small arrow to the left of the course entry. This will bring up the sub-menu where you will click on "Genre Paper Films."
The paper must be 3-5 pages, typed, 12 point Times New Roman font, double spaced and with one-inch margins. Use MLA style. Five grammatical errors will lose one letter grade, so make sure to proofread for errors. This assignment must be turned into the D2L drop box (under “assignments”) by the deadline. No hard copy is required.


Essay Grade Breakdown (100 points):
Thesis: 10 points
Support of thesis: 30 points
Use of sources: 20 points
Use of specific scene examples: 20 points
Style/Format: 20

Writing Assignment Instructions
General Instructions: Each essay must contain a focused introduction that ends in a clear, precise thesis statement about the topic in terms of the film. Body paragraphs should present relevant points in the argument and the discussion should resolve in a thoughtful – not summary – conclusion. The argument must be supported by substantive and relevant evidence in the form of examples from the film. Strive to present a precise and specific analysis rather than a series of random thoughts. Avoid plot summary; assume your reader has seen the film. 
As primary sources, films should be documented in proper form on a works cited page (which does not count toward your required sources total). Failure to document all sources consulted or quoted, or failure to acknowledge tutorial assistance of any kind constitutes plagiarism and will result in a failing grade for the assignment. No credit will be given for essays based upon any unauthorized/undocumented sources, or for those based on non-academic Internet sources and/or webpages unless specifically permitted by the instructor. If you use any sources for words or ideas, you must give them full credit in your works cited page and you must cite these sources within your paper. 
All essays must be submitted via the D2L site. This course uses TurnItIn, which is an academic plagiarism detector, in order to prevent plagiarism and ensure academic integrity. 
Basic Essay Format, Requirements, and Grading
Length: Essays must be typed and include title and works cited pages. Instructions stating “3-5 pages” mean that the essay must be at least three full pages of text, not two pages and a fraction of a page. The title page and works cited pages do not count as part of the minimum page length. Essays that do not meet the minimum assigned length will receive an immediate reduction of a letter grade for each partial or missing page. Exaggerated margins will not be counted as minimum length. 
Title Page: Title, course name and number, and student information should be supplied on a title page. A title page must include a relevant title that describes the argument or focus of your essay. Student’s name, date, and course information belong on the title page. Do not repeat the title page information on the first page of the essay. 
Margins, Spacing, and Fonts: Essays must be typed in a readable 10 or 12 point, Times New Roman font, double spaced, left justified, and with standard one-inch margins. Paragraphs require five spaces for indention. Do not add extra double spacing between paragraphs. 

Introduction: All introductions must begin with a specific topic sentence, clearly develop an idea, and end in a precise thesis statement. Extraneous commentary and vague generalizations should never appear in an introduction. Avoid statements such as “Many people think...”; “From the beginning of time...”; or the dreaded “Throughout history....” Introductions should be between five to ten sentences in length. Avoid writing academic essays in first person. 

Citations, Evidence, and Analysis: All titles of films, books, plays, and works of art are placed in italics. All titles of poems, essays, chapters, and short stories are placed in quotation marks. All references to particular films must be immediately followed with the last name of the director and year of release in parentheses, ex: (director, year). All direct textual evidence needs to be introduced in context and explained. Simply writing, “Smith says” followed by the quote is not sufficient; all quotations must be followed by detailed analysis of its point in your own words. Place the quoted passage in quotation marks, provide the parenthetical citation (author and page number) and end with a period. Offset all lengthy prose passages of more than four lines. 

Works Cited Page: Standard MLA form is required. 
http://new.library.arizona.edu/research/citing/guide
**Make sure to proofread for errors**