How to Write a Critical Essay on Film Essay

1. The introduction includes the name of the movie and the director’s name. 2. The introduction identifies the thesis, or focus, of the analysis. 3. The Ideas presented are supported with details from the movie. 4. Supporting materials are smoothly incorporated into the sentences. 5. In writing this critical analysis, the writer has considered purpose and audience. 6. The conclusion brings the essay to a definite close. 7. The paragraph is relatively free of errors in spelling, grammar, usage, mechanics, and manuscript form. Sample Outline for a Critical Essay The following is a basic outline of a critical essay, the kind that might be written in a composition, literature, or film class. in this case, the writer is analyzing the meaning of particular symbols in a short story and film. Keep in mind that this is only one kind of possible organization; there are several ways to structure an essay effectively. Outlines can also vary in the amount of detail. Always check with your instructor if you are unsure about the organization of your essay. Title: Symbols of Freedom in Stephen King’s story â€Å"Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption† and Frank Darabont’s film The Shawshank Redemption. Thesis Statement: In their different version of Shawshank Redemption, author Stephen King and director Frank Darabont make distinctions between freedom and captivity using a bird, a library, and a poster as symbols of freedom and justice. I. Introduction †¢The theme of freedom †¢Contrast freedom with the idea of unfair imprisonment †¢A bird, a library, and a poster as symbols of the human spirit, longing for community, and rebirth II. The bird as the struggle of Andy Dufesne’s human spirit †¢Bird as a universal symbol of freedom †¢Ã¢â‚¬ Caging† the bird is a metaphor for Andy’s false imprisonment †¢Jake’s different fates in the book and the film: warning and hope III. The  library as a symbol for community †¢The library as a place of freedom within the prison †¢Represents Andy’s connection with his own intellectual society †¢The library as a connection between Andy and the other prisoners IV. The poster as a symbol of rebirth †¢The women on the posters represent the â€Å"outside† †¢The posters guard and protect Andy’s struggle for freedom †¢Andy must go through the poster to escape †¢The sewage pipe Andy crawls through is like a birth canal †¢Rita Hayworth is like a â€Å"mother† to Andy’s new life V. Conclusion †¢Andy’s freedom was stolen †¢Andy â€Å"steals† his freedom back †¢Andy’s escape is the ultimate triumph of the human spirit over injustice and inhumanity