Midterm Paper: 10% of your final grade
The midterm paper is a 1500-2000 word analytical review of a film or animated work from Japan related to the course, due in Week 9 on Friday, October 19 by 10pm. You must employ an
...
Midterm Paper: 10% of your final grade
The midterm paper is a 1500-2000 word analytical review of a film or animated work from Japan related to the course, due in Week 9 on Friday, October 19 by 10pm. You must employ and include an annotated bibliography of four academic sources and include a 100 word annotation for each (1500-2000 + 400 = max 2400 total). Your annotation for each of four academics sources should briefly summarize the source/author's main points, and note why/how you are using it in your paper.
I have made several films available to you over D2L (See "Full Film Uploads" and in some cases the Video Bank) and there are links below for more options. Relevant (Japan-related) films of your choosing are acceptable with permission from the instructor or TA, and must be approved by Week 8 in discussion section. Anime series are not acceptable, but film-length works are fine.
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Points to consider:
Is your chosen film either Japanese or about Japan? Good, you've chosen well. Documentaries are fine, provided they are at least an hour long (no short clip/introductions to a topic).
What’s the point of your essay? What is your argument/thesis? What does the film reveal about Japan? How does it do so? Through character development, narrative style, the moral or message of the film, its engagement with historical/political/cultural issues, in comparison with other media, etc? Simply retelling the plot and describing characters is not sufficient.
How do you support it? Use a balance of evidence from your primary source (the film) and evidence from academic sources. I expect citation/reference in the body of your essay -- it should be clear how you are applying your sources.
What is the structure of your essay? What is the work each paragraph does for you? How do your sentences each contribute to the point of the paragraph? Are your paragraphs dedicated to a point and elaboration of it, or a short series of related points? Overly long paragraphs demonstrate a lack of editing and often need to be broken up and recrafted.
Write, then re-write. Read aloud to yourself/a native speaker.
Word count (at least 1,500 words, but not more than 2,000); Your paper should have citations in the body of the paper, showing your engagement with your sources. Citation style is open, but you must be consistent with your choice (APA/MLA/Chicago, etc); Sources: bibliography of at least four academic sources w/annotated entries. You are welcome to have more sources than that, but not fewer.
Plagiarism will be dealt with strictly per the Code of Academic Integrity guidelines, and improper citation is plagiarism. In cases of plagiarism, you (at best) will lose all credit for the assignment and be required to complete several workshops with the Dean of Students office. For serious cases, additional sanctions will be imposed.
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