Category: Essays

Evaluate a film and entertain your readers Audience.

ENGLISH 1301 FILM REVIEW GUIDELINES Purposes: Evaluate a film and entertain your readers Audience: Adult readers of newspapers and magazines or online review sites, such as http://rogerebert.suntimes.com or www.imdb.com Relevance: You will use evaluation skills in future college classes and in many professional situations, e.g., critiquing a policy, practice, or performance. Choice of Film: Review one of these films: Biutiful (drama) Taken (drama) Not My Life (documentary) IMPORTANT: To avoid plagiarizing, do not read any reviews about the film you choose. Essays that contain plagiarism will earn no credit without the possibility of rewriting. Essay Elements: Your essay will consist of 2 1/2 to 3 typed, double-spaced pages:  Short introduction paragraph (6 or fewer lines): – Begin with an effective “hook” – Mention the film’s title – Include a clear thesis statement  Story overview paragraph (10 or fewer lines): – Provide the basics of the story (or, in the case of the documentary, basic overview of the documentary’s message)  Well-developed support paragraphs: – Explain how various parts of the film contribute to or detract from the film’s effectiveness  Short conclusion paragraph (5 or fewer lines): – Provide closure for your evaluation Also important:  You will meet with me in class for a conference over your polished film review draft. If you miss this conference, you will lose 5 points from your final grade for the film review. You may not schedule this conference with me at a later time.  Always put film titles in italics.  Don’t include research in your essay. Read the page in the syllabus about plagiarism. Continued on next page  Use present tense when talking about what happens in the film and when evaluating performances: – “Dewey convinces the kids to start a band.” not “Dewey convinced the kids to start a band.” – “Jack Black makes Dewey Finn hilarious, likable and, sometimes, even touching.” Evaluation: You will be graded on how well you _____ Created an original title (don’t use the film’s title as your title) _____ Created an introduction that includes a strong “hook” and includes a thesis statement that gives your opinion of the film _____ Included a story or subject overview paragraph that consists of ten or fewer lines) _____ Conveyed clear, logical and in-depth ideas that support your thesis statement (your opinion of the film) _____ Created paragraph unity and otherwise logically organized ideas _____ Developed all of your points fully _____ Wrote in a professional and lively voice _____ Concluded strongly _____ Chose effective words and phrases _____ Edited the paper

What impartial moral principles is Bloom referencing?

In 5-7 pages analyze the following claim from Paul Bloom’s recent work, Just Babies. “The capacity for reason takes time to emerge, so the moral life of a baby is necessarily limited. A baby will possess inclinations and sentiments; he or she might be motivated to soothe another in pain or to feel angry at a cruel act or to favor someone who punishes a wrongdoer. But a lot is absent; most of all, the baby lacks a grasp of impartial moral principles – prohibitions or requirements that apply equally to everyone within a community (211).” The essay should be a scholarly analysis of this quote, in addition to a review or a critique of at least 2 of the major ethical theories found in our class textbook. What did you agree with? What did you disagree with? Explain and support your beliefs with citations from our textbook. What “impartial moral principles” is Bloom referencing? You are free to employ other database or scholarly internet articles. The essay must include at least 3-4 secondary sources in support of your analysis. Specifications 5-7 pages double spaced Times New Roman Font 1 inch margins MLA format (see: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/1/) Include a properly cited bibliography/works cited (not part of the page requirement) 1st person speech

Explain and support your beliefs with citations from our textbook.

In 5-7 pages analyze the following claim from Paul Bloom’s recent work, Just Babies. “The capacity for reason takes time to emerge, so the moral life of a baby is necessarily limited. A baby will possess inclinations and sentiments; he or she might be motivated to soothe another in pain or to feel angry at a cruel act or to favor someone who punishes a wrongdoer. But a lot is absent; most of all, the baby lacks a grasp of impartial moral principles – prohibitions or requirements that apply equally to everyone within a community (211).” The essay should be a scholarly analysis of this quote, in addition to a review or a critique of at least 2 of the major ethical theories found in our class textbook. What did you agree with? What did you disagree with? Explain and support your beliefs with citations from our textbook. What “impartial moral principles” is Bloom referencing? You are free to employ other database or scholarly internet articles. The essay must include at least 3-4 secondary sources in support of your analysis. Specifications 5-7 pages double spaced Times New Roman Font 1 inch margins MLA format (see: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/1/) Include a properly cited bibliography/works cited (not part of the page requirement) 1st person speech permitted

What do you think are the most significant arguments for and against capital punishment?

Three discussion questions 1. Please answer both of the following Forum Questions: 1. Using the main assumptions of Classical Criminology and or its more modern version known as Rational Choice Theory, what do you think are the most significant arguments for and against capital punishment? As part of this Forum Question, and after considering both sides, should capital punishment be abolished and or retained…and specifically why? 2. After conducting your own research (e.g., via the online library, Internet, etc) regarding Classical Criminology and Positivist Criminology, which do you more closely prescribe to and specifically why? Note: This Forum is directly connected to the following Course Learning Objectives: LO1. Apply the main assumptions of prominent theories within criminology (e.g., Strain Theory, Classical Criminology, Learning Theory, Labeling Theory, Rational Choice Theory, and others) to current topics within the criminal justice arena; LO2. Evaluate the use of capital punishment as a deterrent to criminal behavior; LO3. Compare and contrast the philosophical basis of classical and positivist criminological thought; Instructions: Each Forum response should be “minimum” of 500 words of content (does not count references and or restating a question) and include “at least” two properly referenced sources, in accordance with APA 6th edition, for full credit. Please see the syllabus for what constitutes a “substantive” response. 2. Discussion Question: Please answer both of the following Forum Questions: 1. Incorporating the assumptions of one of the below learning theories (also feel free to research the online library, Internet etc for information on these two theories), make an argument either for or against the insanity defense, that is, should it be allowed and or abolished…and specifically why? Learning Theories: – Social Learning Theory – Sutherlands Differential Association Theory 2.Do you believe that ecological approaches have a valid place in contemporary criminological thinking? Specifically…why or why not? Note: This Forum is directly connected to the following Course Learning Objective: LO1. Analyze the main assumptions of prominent theories within criminology (e.g., Strain Theory, Classical Criminology, Learning Theory, Labeling Theory, Rational Choice Theory, and others) to current topics within the criminal justice arena Instructions: Each Forum response should be “minimum” of 500 words of content (does not count references and or restating a question) and include “at least” two properly referenced sources, in accordance with APA 6th edition, for full credit. Please see the syllabus for what constitutes a “substantive” response