PART ONE: CLOSE READING Each article constructs a critical argument…
Question Answered step-by-step PART ONE: CLOSE READING Each article constructs a critical argument… PART ONE: CLOSE READING Each article constructs a critical argument about Casablanca: Rather than summarizing or evaluating the film, the authors look at specific components (thematic, formal, social/historical) and draw from evidence both inside and outside of the film to act as support for their stated position. Read through the articles, several times, with a writing utensil in hand, until you have a sense of its thesis, argument, and evidence. PART TWO: IDENTIFICATION Identify the thesis statements of each article. Provide examples of the main argument, the evidence outside the film, and the evidences from the film in each article. . (For this part of the assignment you can simply copy paste the passages with their page numbers.) Introduction: This is sometimes the first paragraph, but not always. When does the author focus on context that is important to his argument? In what ways does the author provide clues for what the essay will be arguing? What is the reader expected to know about the film (or anything else) in order to understand the essay? Thesis Statement: What (and where) is the thesis statement? How does the author define the purpose of the essay? What will he be arguing? Argument: Where does the author make his argument(s)? Where does the author draw conclusion(s) from his evidence? Do these arguments restate, or further complicate, the initial thesis? Evidence from the film: What specific evidence from the film does the author use to support his or her claims? Consider what form this evidence takes (dialogue, editing, plot points, etc.). What parts of the film are not mentioned in the essay at all? (one or two examples from each article is sufficient) Evidence from outside the film: What evidence does the author draw from outside the film? From where is this evidence drawn, and what form does it take (essay, book, historical/archival record, newspaper, etc.)? ((one or two examples from each article is sufficient) PART THREE: RESPONSE Finally, write a response that provides a brief comparison of overall approaches of these essays in terms of the argument. In your response, use your own words to summarize the major argument of the essays, as well as the key evidence that is used to support that argument. Upon what elements of the film does the author’s argument rely? What is the key evidence from outside the film that is necessary for the argument? You might consider some of the questions from the previous page to prompt your thinking. You are encouraged to reference (but not copy & paste) specific passages from the essays – and be sure to cite all that you do use. ESSAYS FOR CLOSE READING (Available on Blackboard) Kunze, Peter. “Beautiful Friendship: Masculinity and Nationalism in Casablanca.” Studies in Popular Culture 37:1 (Fall 2014): 19-37. Nachbar, Jack. “Doing the Thinking For All of Us: Casablanca and the Home Front.” Journal of Popular Film & Television 27:4 (2000): 5-15. Raskin, Richard. “Casablanca and United States Foreign Policy.” Film History 4:2 (1990): 153- 165. Arts & Humanities Writing FILM STUDIES Share QuestionEmailCopy link Comments (0)
