EAS 140

Tips on Preparing Your Think Papers

Watch the film carefully and take detailed notes (you may want to bring a small flashlight to the Tuesday class; it is dark in there!)

Pay attention to recurrent themes or images in the movie.

Try to determine the "point" or "argument" of the film and how this relates to the recurrent themes and images, as well as the main character(s).

After you have been informed about the question or topic of the think paper (this will be provided by the instructor after you have seen the film), make a rough outline of the main points in your argument. If possible, do this on the same night that you watch the film.

Produce a first draft (one page).

Edit and polish the first draft.

Keep your sentences short and your paragraphs tight. Pay special attention to transition from one paragraph to the next. Paragraphs should follow some logical order (example: introduction, main arguments, conclusion).

Don't repeat yourself! You just need to say it once!

Do not describe the contents of the film (except when you must do so to illustrate a particular point)! Get right to your analysis and argument!

Avoid useless, meaningless cliches and jargon. Examples: "I feel that ..."; "I think that ..."; "At this point in time, ...."

Proofread your paper several times; make the sentences tight; avoid useless and weak words and phrases ("hopefully", "perhaps", "It's possible that ...", "At this point in time I really feel that ..."); make a strong and convincing argument!

If the English in your reaction paper is poor and your writing is sloppy, you will not earn a good grade!

Mechanics

Use standard 8.5 x 11 inch paper (white).

Provide one-inch margins all around.

Use 12 point type; use 1.5 line spacing (do not use single line spacing).

Check your printer ribbon and always have a backup.

Put your full name at the bottom of the paper (there is no need to provide a cover page with the title of the course, your SS#, my name, and so on).

Your reaction paper is limited to one page. Do not exceed this limit.

Reaction papers are due at the start of our class. Late papers will not be accepted for any reason. Late papers will not be accepted for any reason. Late papers will not be accepted for any reason.