IMPORTANT: Paper Requirements:

• 500-750 words (the equivalent of 2-3 double-spaced pages).
• On the first page, include a short analysis of your readers, a one-sentence thesis statement and a topic outline. Separate this material from the text of the paper with a dashed line ( ---------------------- ).
• Works Cited -- include all reviews you cited in the text, listed alphabetically by author's last name. Be sure you are using reviews by recognized (or at least accomplished) critics.

• Present as a full, declarative sentence that clarifies the subject (your film) and your purpose in writing -- to give the reader an analysis of critics' evaluations.
• Unify -- deal with just one main idea. Try to develop a statement that accommodates the an overall conclusion that can be drawn from all three critics' views.
• Limit -- word the thesis to show how you're using sources and restricting the subject.

• First sentence: Provide a general lead-in to create interest and set up your approach -- an idea or observation about the film's theme, its appeal, audiences' reactions, etc.
• Use a minimum of 3-4 sentences to fully develop this idea and show your purpose in writing. Clarify how you're evaluating the film (by analyzing critics' reviews).
• Don't include specific evidence or support material from the reviews.
• Present your thesis.

• Organization -- In developing the body of your paper:
• Use point-to-point organization. Each subtopic should focus on an idea that advances your thesis. DON'T organize the paper around the plot or sources.
• Don't try to cover everything -- focus only on the ideas and the parts of the reviews that develop your main thesis.
• If the reader needs background information (on plot, director, etc.) to understand your ideas, keep it brief and try to present it in relevant sections of the paper.
• Topic sentences -- Make a generalization, summary statement, observation or assertion about the subtopic. Try not to start a paragraph with a reference to a specific review.
• Transitions -- Use transitional words and phrases in the topic sentences to develop a smooth flow of ideas and information between paragraphs. Within paragraphs, use internal transitions to emphasize the relationships among your sources.

• Sources -- For the first refererence to each review, provide a complete acknowledgment phrase (reviewer's full name, credentials, title of publication). Subsequent references can be the reviewer's last name only.
• Quotations -- Always identify the speaker by name in the sentence with the quotation (Kael said, According to Ebert, etc.). Check punctuation.
• Paraphrases/Summaries -- If you aren't using a direct quote, be sure your summary or paraphrase from the review is completely reworded into your own language.
• MLA page notes -- For every quote, paraphrase or summary from a review, provide the page number at the end of the sentence (in parentheses, before the period).

Sample Body Paragraph (with MLA documentation):

Critics praised Bill Murray for giving a more controlled performance than they had seen in his past feature films. Unlike his roles in "Caddyshack" and other broad comedies, Murray's "Groundhog Day" character gave him an opportunity to deliver an understated comic performance. Richard Leskosky, reviewer for the Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette, particularly liked Murray's characterization of the "bored, jaded and arrogant" television weatherman (8). The Chicago Sun-Times' Roger Ebert was also impressed by Murray's performance, but said he was a little put off because the character was so innately unlikable (D10). Gene Siskel of the Chicago Tribune was the most enthusiastic of all. "It was refreshing to see Murray in a role where he didn't have to go for slapstick and big laughs," wrote Siskel. "Instead, he showed us his talent for exploiting the inherent humor of the character's personality. I hope we see more of this side of Murray in future films" (C4).

• Broaden out the topic to the idea or theme you presented in the Introduction.
• Don't begin with "In conclusion", "As you can see," etc.
• Re-emphasize (but don't repeat) the thesis.
• Address your readers' needs and interests -- leave readers with an idea, recommendation or concluding statement that will help them understand the critics' reviews and evaluate the film for themselves.

• Writing style -- be direct and authoritative. DON'T use "I", "me", "myself", etc.
• Proofread!!! There are no excuses for spelling errors.