EVALUATING A DOCUMENTARY—ESSAY 4
For this essay, you will be choosing a documentary to evaluate. This assignment is
similar to the one we are doing for When Kids Get Life. Please use the PBS/Frontline website to
choose your documentary. The link is www.pbs.org/frontline. There are so many to choose from!
Hopefully, you will find something that interests you. You must choose from Frontline.
Here’s what to do: Choose a film.
Take notes while watching. What happens? Who is interviewed?
Answer the question, “What is the film’s thesis?” Some films are more subtle than
others, so ask yourself, “What are the filmmakers trying to convince me of? “
Some documentaries claim to be informative but actually have a point of view, although I am certain you are bright enough not to let them get by you!
How does the filmmaker prove the thesis? For instance, in When Kids Get Life,
Ofra Bickel interviews 5 youth offenders who should not have been sentenced to
life without parole. She explains their circumstances, and in the individual cases,
she gives examples of how the system failed them. In addition, she interviews experts. She cites statistics.
Are there any key concepts the audience needs to understand? In When Kids Get Life, it was plea bargaining, the felony murder statute, and direct filing.
Watch for signs of bias. Does the filmmaker present all viewpoints? Does the
filmmaker (unfairly) make the people who have other viewpoints look ignorant, foolish, or extreme?
Does the film prove its thesis? Does it accomplish what it was supposed to?
What do you think of the film and the topic overall? What is your opinion about the topic? This is the analysis part.
WRITING THE PAPER
Once you have all of this information, begin your draft. I. Introduction—Give the name of the documentary and original airdate. Summarize the II. film’s subject and purpose. Be objective.
Do you need to give any background on the issue? This may or may not be III. appropriate. If you can, handle it in the introduction.
Body of the paper-Explain how the producers support the thesis from the notes you
have taken. You will have more than one paragraph in this section. Use as many
paragraphs as you need to, to cover your information. Explain any key concepts the IV. producers incorporate, such as “pleas bargaining,” “direct file,” etc.
Your analysis—In your opinion, did the documentary achieve its purpose? What was
particularly effective or ineffective? Explain why you think so. V. Does the film represent the issue too narrowly?
End with your thesis, which is a summary of all parts along with your opinion of the
effectiveness of the documentary. NOTE: Just so you know, a part of documentary evaluation can include camera angles, and other
cinematography components. If you know about that, feel free to include it.
All of the usual requirements and restrictions apply such as MLA format and use of personal
pronouns. You MUST have a Works Cited page. Due by 6:00 p.m., Thursday, June 1 (last day of class).

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