a film (preferably fictional; documentaries present a challenge)
a television series (preferably fictional; reality TV can present a challenge)
Develop an essay that analyzes ONE of the following:
The theme of the text.
Consider the following questions as part of your brainstorming (Do not attempt to answer the questions directly in the essay):
What larger statement is the text making about its subject?
What outlook or perspective do you think the text is promoting?
OR
The characterization of someone from within the text.
Consider the following questions as part of your brainstorming (Do not attempt to answer the questions directly in the essay):
What are the characters motives? What actions or dialogue suggest this?
How does the character change from the beginning of the text? Why and How?
Your essay should be approximately 600 words.
Remember, a textual analysis does not focus on summarizing or describing a text, but on interpreting and analyzing it.
Writing Your Textual Analysis Essay
Prewriting
To get started writing your essay:
1. Review What is an Essay?
2. Take time to review possible subjects
