AAST-A101, Spring 2020 Guidelines for Short Essay

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AAST-A101, Spring 2020
Guidelines for Short Essay
Film Due Date
Flower Drum Song
The Assignment
For this essay, you will write 500-750 words that focuses on and analyzes a specific aspect of the film we have watched. A specific aspect could be any of the following:
• a scene/moment
• character(s)
• song(s)
• genre (in this case, a musical)
• visual tools and effects
• a specific issue raised by the work(s)
The above list is only a starting point. There are a lot of potential topics. The key is to find a single aspect that interests you and that you can discuss in 500-750 words.
Please use at least one essay from Keywords for Asian American Studies (KAAS) or another reading/source from the syllabus to assist you in your analysis of your topic. Use your source(s) in a meaningful way; don’t drop a quote in just to meet this requirement. With that being said, please keep quotes to a minimum, since this is a short essay. Please be sure to use in-text citations, MLA format preferred, when quoting or citing from sources.
Please use specific details from the film to support your analysis. For example, make sure character names are accurate, quote specific dialogue, or describe a person’s actions. Avoid being vague, generalizing, or stereotyping.
Finally, please keep in mind that this should be an analysis and not just a summary of
what happened in the film. Obviously, a little summary is necessary, but do your best to balance between summary and analysis.
Formatting, Grammar, etc.
While not a huge portion of your grade, formatting, grammar, punctuation, and mechanics are still important. I prefer MLA format, which means:
• A proper header with your name, professor’s name, course number, and date in the upper left-hand corner of the first page
• Title (Creative titles are welcome.)
• Double-spacing
• Page numbers in the upper right-hand corner on every page
• 1-inch margins all around
• In-text citations; Example: (Nguyen 100).
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• Works Cited entries/page that includes the film you’re analyzing, KAAS essays listed individually, and any other sources from the syllabus you used. You may put this after the last line of your essay if there is room.
Please see the Purdue OWL website and the Sample MLA Paper, both linked on our Canvas page, if you need further assistance with MLA formatting and citing.
Clarity and organization matter; they will either contribute to or detract from your analysis and ideas.
Submitting Your Assignment
On the due date, you will bring a hard copy to class, and you will also submit a Word document to Canvas ideally before coming to class. Please submit all assignments as
Word documents. This software is provided free to IU students.
Criteria for Grading and Rubric
The short essay will be worth 50 points total.
Criteria Max Points Per Category
Topic: The essay clearly focuses on a single aspect of the creative work.
5
Details: The essay uses specific details from the creative work to support its
analysis.
10
Sources: The essay thoughtfully uses at least one KAAS essay or another reading/source from the syllabus in its analysis.
10
Analysis: The analysis shows attention to detail and strives to be insightful.
10
Clarity and Organization: Ideas are expressed clearly and organized in a logical way.
6
MLA Format, In-text Citations, and Works Cited entries/page included
6
Grammar, Punctuation, and Mechanics 3