Rhetorical Analysis (Documentary Film)

Rhetorical Analysis (Documentary Film)

Documentary film is probably one of the first mediums that come to mind when we think about “documenting reality,” yet they are also one of the most complex formats for recording aspects of our world. Documentary films use a variety of methods—images, words, sounds, and various film techniques, to name a few—in order to present an argument. This project asks you to view a documentary film and to analyze the rhetorical strategies employed by the filmmaker in the construction of the film’s argument.

The paper should not be a summary of the film, nor should it be a review based on your personal reaction to it. The aim of the project is to identify the filmmaker’s thesis, and to analyze the rhetorical strategies and film techniques used in order to develop the film’s thesis. Your paper should do all of the following:

 Identify the main argument and / or purpose of the film (this is somewhat subject to interpretation). 

1. 
   Examine the ways in which the thesis and / or aim of the film’s argument is supported through the particular style and manner of the composition’s construction, that is, through rhetorical strategies and film techniques. In order to focus your ideas, you’ll need to choose a selection of strategies and techniques to analyze; do not attempt to discuss everything about the film. You will also need to choose specific scenes or moments from the film that illustrate these techniques, and analyze how the filmmaker uses them to present the film’s argument.
   
2. 
   Interpret / explain, in terms of your own thesis, why you think that the filmmakers made the particular compositional choices they did (i.e. #2) in an effort to forward their main argument (i.e. #1). You should ask the ‘so what?’ question; these choices are not arbitrary, therefore you should interpret why the filmmakers have made certain compositional / stylistic choices. Again, support all claims with specific examples from the film.  
   

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  Papers will be four (4) to six (6) full pages in length. I will use the following criteria when grading your project:
  

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  The paper identifies the thesis of the film
  
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  The paper has a clear thesis which states what your analysis of the rhetorical strategies of the film reveals
  
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  The paper has a well-developed analysis of specific techniques and strategies used to support the film’s thesis
  
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  The paper points to specific scenes and moments from the film in order to support claims made about the film’s rhetorical strategies
  
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  The paper is effectively organized
  
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  The paper shows signs of careful proofreading, with no grammatical or mechanical errors
  

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  Documentary Film Analysis Rubric:
  
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  _____ States director’s thesis and effectively summarizes film.
  
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  _____ Breaks down analysis of the film into rhetorical or cinematic techniques.
  
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  _____ Explains how these techniques are used to support the director’s thesis.
  
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  _____ Explains why the director may have chosen these particular techniques.
  
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  _____ Shows signs of careful organization and proofreading.