Documentary and Opinion Writing Terms

Definitions Personal Opinion Writing Documentary non-fiction "documents" reality reveal an unusual, interesting or unknown angle on a topic expresses the writer’s opinion so that the reader will understand it and be convinced that it is valid

Same for Both Topic Thesis -What is it about? Topic = Mcdonalds What is the director (docs) or writer (essay) trying to make you believe about your topic? Thesis = Mcdonalds is deliberately unhealthy and even addictive

Same for Both Bias Audience Favouring one side of the argument over the other The group for whom the documentary or writing is intended This influences which techniques are used by the writer or director to either influence or maintain their opinion.

Interviews “Role” the most important (eg. teen mom, environmental scientist, government official) Provides perspectives, facts, opinions to support the thesis Often highly edited https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GV1WS-QLQx8

Live Action Footage Spontaneous footage Lends a sense of reality/truth Provides visual support for thesis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7lFUUl0q88 Think about it—would you act the same if you knew you were being filmed?

Re-enactment Footage Depiction of the event, acted out at a later time Provides visual support, point of reference Is an interpretation of the actual event https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAaWvVFERVA

Historical Footage Footage of historical events, shot as they happened Often treated as factual Considered primary source material, therefore trustworthy as evidence Provides historical frame of reference https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgWHbpMVQ1U

Stock Footage General footage, often shot by another filmmaker and/or for use in another project Often used to create mood, enhance atmosphere, support main idea https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Grx0F2Vrx0&list=PLido8eCUHMozBzEMxMOI18rdgcRSGqr0w&index=11

Scripted Dialogue or Interviews Prepared in advance Ask yourself: who wrote the script? Who is really speaking? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1HsOuMji70 Hint: Watch for a “shine-free” face which has been “prepped” for the camera

Unscripted More spontaneous, therefore appears more trustworthy Ask yourself: has the speaker considered what he/she is saying, or is it an impulsive reaction? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdnTAQNrGgM Hint—Watch for those micro-expressions we learned about in the oral communication unit

Narrator/Voice-over Tells us what we should be understanding ab out what we are seeing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCM0NEzQOvk Hint—it helps to have someone famous to do the voice-over

Facts Used as evidence Used to persuade Facts can be manipulated https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UR_byRbXxvs Consider: Does the filmmaker clearly identify the source? Is the source trustworthy?

Music Used as background Manipulates viewer’s emotions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsaBh46Z50M https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZlVaAMsoM8

Animation Shows something that would be difficult to film Offers variety with viewing experience https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zr4onA2k_LY

Personal Opinion Writing

Evidence--Studies -a controlled experiment or trial that looks at the effect of something (medicine, drug, experience) on people Eg. Habitual chocolate eaters have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and strokes compared to people who didn't eat chocolate. What makes it a worth using? (scientists at the University of Aberdeen, published in a scientific journal)

Evidence: Statistics The “evidence” from studies Uses numbers Eg. Traffic fatalities decrease between 8 and 11 percent in states where marijuana is legal. Medical Marijuana Laws, Traffic Fatalities, and Alcohol Consumption Author(s): D. Mark Anderson, Benjamin Hansen, and Daniel I. Rees Source: Journal of Law and Economics, Vol. 56, No. 2 (May 2013), pp. 333-369 Published by: The University of Chicago Press for The Booth School of Business of the University of Chicago and The University of Chicago Law School Compare to this: http://www.theweedblog.com/42-0-facts-about-marijuana-and-why-it-should-be-legal/

Evidence: Experts The best ones are “professionals” Used to present evidence or professional experience to support the thesis

Language Techniques Metaphor --Life is a highway. Simile—The lake was like a mirror. Personification—The wind seemed to laugh at me. Imagery—The acrid stench from his cigar seemed to burn off all of my nose hairs and painfully cauterize the soft flesh. Hyperbole—I almost killed him with my laser gaze.

Anecdotes -a personal story or experience used to convince the reader Eg. I remember when I had really bad day after having to work a double shift at work…