Higher Critical Essay Skills Writing the Essay

What the marker is looking for: The relevance of your essay to the question, and the extent to which you sustain an appropriate line of argument Your knowledge and understanding of key elements, central concerns and significant details of the chosen text, supported by detailed and relevant evidence Your understanding of how relevant aspects of film techniques contribute to the meaning/effect/impact of the chosen texts, supported by detailed and relevant evidence Your evaluation, as appropriate to the questions chosen, of the effectiveness of the chosen text, supported by detailed and relevant evidence The technical accuracy of your writing

The Box Answers to questions on Film and Television Drama should refer to the text and to such relevant features as use of camera, key sequence, characterisation, mise-en-scène, editing, music/sound, special effects, plot, dialogue . . . This tells you how to answer every question in the film section. It lays out the different techniques that you should mention. You will never be able to reference them all but you should try and include as many of them as possible. By constantly referring to these techniques, you should avoid simply describing the narrative which results in FAILURE.

For each question I should: Read carefully what you are being asked to do. Underline the key words and phrases within the question. Decide what techniques you will focus on Write a plan where the question is at the heart of everything you write.

The Question Choose a film or television drama in which the opening sequence is particularly effective in engaging the audience’s interest. With reference to appropriate techniques, discuss how the film or programme makers succeed in engaging the audience’s interest. To answer this question, you must do the following: Describe the use of film techniques Explain how these techniques make the audience interested in the film. Use the techniques from “The Box” in your analysis DO NOT re-tell the story.

Structuring your answer When you are writing a critical essay you should follow the following structure. This should help you avoid re-telling the story. Introduction Use the wording of the question to frame your introduction by using the key words. You should also explain how you are going to answer the question.

Introduction The film “Romeo and Juliet” by Baz Luhrmann is a powerful film which is successful in depicting the greatest of human emotions, such as love, hate and terror. Set in the fictional Verona Beach, the film follows the story of the two doomed lovers and the continuing feud between their families. Through the skilful use of film techniques in the opening sequence, Luhrmann is successful in engaging the audience’s interest, thereby making the classic story of the play more relevant to a modern audience.

Structuring your answer The main body of your essay should follow this structure: Point – make a point that is relevant to the question Evidence – back up your point Explain – how does this evidence support your point? And…make sure you are answering the question!

Sample Paragraph 1 In the opening sequence, mise-en-scene is used to a great extent in order to make this relevant to a modern audience. This is firstly shown when a newsreader reads out the prologue in a serious tone. In this shot, a picture of a broken ring is shown. This suggests to the audience that there will be heartbreak in the story, thereby foreshadowing the tragic ending. In addition, by presenting this in the style of a news report, this ensures the audience’s engagement as it is a style that is familiar to them.

Sample Paragraph 2 The opening sequence introduces the viewers to the conflict between two families: the Montagues and the Capulets and uses mise-en-scene, fast paced editing and a mixture of camera movements to depict the effects of this conflict and make the action fast and exciting. The opening sequence then starts to focus on the action: aerial shots from police helicopters are used to look down on fighting below. The shaky nature of this type of camera shot helps to involve the viewers in the action and to make it more exciting. This movement increases the pace, thereby engaging the viewers’ interest in what is happening. Further zooms in are used to focus the viewers’ attention on an image of a man being violently arrested by the police: this introduces the themes of violence and crime. The movement of the zoom means that the pace is quick and it almost physically draws the viewers into the scene. The camera also pans, quickly, along a series of newspapers and magazines showing images of guns and war: this introduces the exciting action. Finally, the scene ends with a montage of clips from the film, telling the viewer how fast paced the story is and highlighting the passion of the plot. This is an effective way to end the introduction because, again, it shows the viewer little clips of what is to come (lots of fast, exciting fight scenes and a passionate plot) which helps to engage the viewer and make them want to watch more.

Sample Paragraph 2 The opening sequence introduces the viewers to the conflict between two families: the Montagues and the Capulets and uses mise-en-scene, fast paced editing and a mixture of camera movements to depict the effects of this conflict and make the action fast and exciting. The opening sequence starts to focus on the action: aerial shots from police helicopters are used to look down on fighting below. The shaky nature of this type of camera shot helps to involve the viewers in the action and to make it more exciting. This movement increases the pace, thereby engaging the viewers’ interest in what is happening. Further zooms in are used to focus the viewers’ attention on an image of a man being violently arrested by the police: this introduces the themes of violence and crime. The movement of the zoom means that the pace is quick and it almost physically draws the viewers into the scene. The camera also pans, quickly, along a series of newspapers and magazines showing images of guns and war: this introduces the exciting action. Finally, the scene ends with a montage of clips from the film, telling the viewer how fast paced the story is and highlighting the passion of the plot. This is an effective way to end the introduction because, again, it shows the viewer little clips of what is to come (lots of fast, exciting fight scenes and a passionate plot) which helps to engage the viewer and make them want to watch more. Pink – Point, Yellow – evidence, Green – Explanation/Analysis, Blue – Comment/Refer back to the question

Conclusion You should use your conclusion to sum up your main argument and to refer back to the question. Just like the introduction, you should use the wording of the question to frame your conclusion. This brings your essay circular back to the question.

This will be written in class next Tuesday 5th December Essay Task Use your notes on the opening sequence, the notes on Edmodo/dept webpage and this PowerPoint to help you plan and answer the following question: Choose a film or television drama in which the opening sequence is particularly effective in engaging the audience’s interest. With reference to appropriate techniques, discuss how the film or programme makers succeed in engaging the audience’s interest. This will be written in class next Tuesday 5th December