Essay Topics
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Essay #1
5-7 pages
First draft due Mon, 2.22, in class
Final draft due Fri, 2.25, 3pm
For your first major essay,
you will be writing a critical piece on Dead Man that adopts one of the models
outlined by Corrigan in chapter four (pp. 79-105). Pay attention to the sample
essays he includes, but by no means feel that you need to imitate those in style
or substance--consider them a starting point and nothing more. How you choose
to formulate your argument/discussion is, of course, up to you, but there are
a few things you must take into consideration:
You must have a detailed and focused thesis. What (specifically) is your argument?
What are you trying to prove and how are you going about it? Ask "why"
of yourself until you feel a bit batty, then you are on the right track.
You must directly confront specific moments (scenes, dialogue) from the film
and use them toward the specific goal of proving your argument. I want to see
quotes dealt with in detail.
You must cite at least two outside sources. (More on this in class).
As always, let me know if you have any questions.
Essay 2
TBA