For this critical response, you are to refer to the screenplay (by John August) as your source text for your analysis. Provided that you read the screenplay in good detail and took thoughtful notes in your booklet, you should be well-poised to write your response.
Choose from ONE of the following topics/prompts:
- What does Tim Burton suggest about how death/mortality influences one's decisions in Big Fish?
- What does Tim Burton suggest about identity in Big Fish?
- What does Tim Burton suggest about heroism in Big Fish?
For your evidence, refer to:
- the dialogue in the screenplay (the literary aspects)
- the directions in the screenplay (which indicate dramatic and cinematic aspects), and
- any of your notes on these aspects (such as mise en scene, costuming, camera movement, shot, lighting, effects, editing, and music) that you think would strengthen your arguments.
- Choose a topic from the options above.
- Consider characters who are most clearly involved with the topic you chose.
- Review your notes on the film. Review/Search the screenplay for instances in which your character(s) of focus is featured and reflects, is involved with, or somehow develops the topic.
- Come up with at least 3 examples and phrase these as statements that answer the prompt question. These are your 3 claims.
- Look for patterns and relationships between the ideas and support to help you answer the original topic question.
- Create a tentative thesis. Refer to the Write a Thesis guide.
- Make a copy of the CRT Outline Template for yourself. Essays (CRTs) are very structured documents, and it's important that you have all components in this order for your essay to make sense and provide a compelling interpretation.
- In the Introduction, complete the Connection filling in the [info] appropriately. Then put your 3 claims (from above) into the 3 Claims. Put your thesis in the Thesis.
- Make 2 more copies of the Body Paragraph section. These will be your 3 body paragraphs.
- Copy and paste your first point from your Overview into the Claim section on your first body paragraph. Do the same for the other two points (second point for second Claim, third point for third claim).
- Search the text to find a quote (Evidence) for your first claim. Follow the instructions for Evidence, using the MLA Citation Quick Guide to help you.
- Now complete the eXplanation and Clincher for each body paragraph.
- Go back to your introduction and write your Hook. If you have used a quote, you must format this properly using the MLA Citation Quick Guide.
- Complete your Conclusion following the instructions.
- Add your Works Cited and entries.
- Upload/add your file to the Google Classroom assignment if it's not already there.
- Complete the Editing Checklist (optional) or review the comments left in your last CRT.
- Use the editing checklist (or comments in your last CRT) to guide your editing, and complete the table as you complete your checks for your CRT.
- Read your essay aloud backwards, sentence by sentence to catch additional issues.
- Go over everything on the CRT Style & Mechanics Checklist. DOUBLE-SPACE, INDENT EACH PARAGRAPH, DO NOT ADD EXTRA SPACES BETWEEN PARAGRAPHS, DO NOT USE A DIFFERENT FORMAT FOR YOUR TITLE.
- Run your paper through Grammarly (copy + paste) for any spelling or grammar issues you might have missed (checks will be limited). Be aware that any italicization will be removed and you'll have to redo it.
- Review the CRT rubric as a final check.
- Upload your editing checklist (if completing) AND final draft to Classroom and submit.