NAZI CINEMA AND THE THIRD REICH: GUIDELINES FOR ESSAY 1
Purpose: The purpose of this essay examination as a formal writing assignment is to develop the students skill in critical reading through assessment, comparison, and contrast of the contribution of the assigned texts to her/his informed understanding of the themes and issues of the course. The student will utilize specific references to assigned reading, class lectures, and additional handouts/sources presented in class.
Content: The content of the essay will constitute an informed discussion that responds directly and succinctly to the questions posed. The text of each essay will integrate the students analysis and interpretation of the course materials with the required citations.
Required Citations and Format: The take-home essay should be typed, double spaced, with all pages numbered consecutively. Students should place the title of their exam essay at the top of page one of their paper; the text should follow below the title.
Within each take-home essay [to assure a B- grade or better], the student must
1) answer the question posed,
2) create a thesis statement/paragraph that addresses the question,
3) follow that thesis idea in a logical/concise manner throughout the rest of the essay,
4) incorporate the minimum citations into your essay:
6 citations from the Rentschler (at least one per chapter), 5 citations form the Spielvogel (one per chapter), 5 citations from the Noakes, 1 citation each from Hinton, Mayo, Baird, Brunauer, and Rupp, and *3 citations from the 3 films covered (one citation for each). You are also welcome to cite other relevant historical/cultural material presented for this class.
*A film citation represents a discussion of an aspect/scene of the film in detail (character, mise-en-scene, sound, camera angle, etc.)see study questions for tips on important filmic aspects. Try and use one study question for each film analysis.
Citations form the reading material include quoting and paraphrasing (a good mix of the two is ideal). Citations from the assigned texts should be designated by placing IN PARENTHESIS the last name of the author and the exact page number(s). The parenthesis should precede the closing punctuation of the sentence, in which the information or quotation from the source appears.
Example: A Room of Ones Own raises the important dictum: a woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction (Woolf 4).
Film citation would be discussing an aspect of the film in detailsee study questions for tips on important filmic aspects.
A concluding sheet for Bibliography/Works Cited will be required ONLY for listing additional sources that were not assigned to the class as a whole. (See MLA Handbook for format)
