Judith J. Katz
The purpose of this unit is to give creative writing students a working understanding of some basic elements of story using a multiple intelligences approach. Students will watch films in 20 or 40 minute segments. Each segment will be preceded by a 10-minute introduction, and will be followed by a 10 minute "quick-write" or written reflection. Students will be expected to jot down notes while they are watching the films as well. Students will be prompted to pay particular attention to a specific element in each of the viewing segments. Examples of specific elements include: narrative structure (plot), character development, causal logic, visual and auditory cues, credibility, and complexity.
An underlying purpose of this unit is to prepare students for an in depth study of the Elements of the Short Storywhich is the unit they will proceed to directly after this one.
We will be watching films with seven primary objectives in mind:
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1. To use our powers of
observation
to understand how films make meaning.
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2. To learn some basic film
terminology
and to use it in conversation and writing.
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3. To participate in an environment/community in which peers have a common, objective vocabulary for
critical thinking, writing, and discussion
of film/story.
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4. To acquire a beginning understanding of how
narrative structure, character development, and causal logic
are used to create a story.
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5. To write a series of short critical pieces leading to an in-depth
film essay
.
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6. To make a
connection
between what we are learning and how we can use that learning in more than one formie: discussion, journaling, written critical review, written short essay, written (in-depth) essay, as a means of developing a process for our own creative writing, as a means of peer editing and constructive criticism, and as a means of developing a method for organizing thoughts and words into essays that meet the CAPT and SAT standards.
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7. To enjoy ourselves, together.
