Image: https://ift.tt/30F2U2N
How to Write a Movie Critique Paper: 5 Example & Tips
by Diana Adjadj
Writing a movie critique is one of the students’ favorite writing assignments. Instead of dry and used-up topics, you'll finally get to write a paper on something that interests you – movies.
However, when you realize that you need to be more critical and less personal, this task can present a challenge.
But don’t be intimidated. You just need a little guidance to get wind beneath your wings and write an excellent critique paper. That’s what this post is for.
In the following lines, we'll cover everything you need to know about writing a movie critique paper. To topic off, we've included some examples to inspire you.
Let’s get started!
Movie Critique Paper vs. Movie Review: What’s the Difference?
The common point of confusion is how the movie critique and movie review differ. So, we’ll start by clarifying these two types of writing.
The key difference is that in the review you get to share your personal impression while in the critique you need to objectively discuss the movie production and how it could be improved. Simply put, movie critique asks for a critical analysis of the movie while the review focuses on summarizing and personal opinions.
To write a good movie critique you need to do an in-depth analysis of the movie. Everything from the plot over sound and video effects to symbolism are relevant for the critique. You must look at the movie as a work of art, pay attention to details, cover different production stages, and find room for improvement.
General Tips for Writing Movie Critique Paper
The first step is always the hardest. That's why we'll ease into writing with general tips on how to approach movie critique.
1. Take Notes While Watching the Movie
Don’t rely just on your memory. To ensure that you don’t miss any important detail, take notes while you watch the movie. You can leave out the note-taking the first time you watch the movie. However, when you watch it for the second time prepare to write down any thought that you want to elaborate on in the paper.
2. Outline What You Plan to Discuss
An outline helps you structure your paper. It guides you and makes it easier for you to stick to what you need to cover.
Here’s a suggestion on how you can outline a movie critique:
-
Introduction
-
A short exposition of the story
-
Analysis of the plot
-
Analysis of the structure
-
Analysis of the characters
-
Analysis of the dialogue
-
Analysis of the scene (including special effects, camera techniques, etc.)
-
Your point of view supported with facts and specific examples from the movie
-
Conclusion
3. Do Research on the Movie
If there are any interesting facts about the movie, include them in the paper. To do that, you need to head to the treasure of information known as Google. Find out if the movie is an original or a remake, whether it was based on the book, if there were any changes in the cast, and so on. Don't share too much about it, a few facts will do.
4. Be Objective
A movie critique can sometimes be associated with negative emotions. However, the point of a critique isn't just to criticize. The point is to give an evaluation of the good and bad aspects of the film. Do your best to put prejudice or favoritism aside and observe the movie objectively.
5. Use Examples
Examples can transform empty claims into unshakable statements. Include quotes, descriptions of the scenes, lines from the script, and other forms of examples to prove your point. Using examples is especially relevant if you are sharing your own opinion.
The Elements of Movie Critique Paper
There are certain elements you need to cover in a critique paper to round up the story. You can add more elements and dive in more deeply if you want, but you shouldn’t omit these key elements.
1. General Information
Start your paper with a wide shot. Introduce the movie by answering the basic questions such as:
-
What made you pick this movie?
-
Who is the director?
-
When was the movie released?
-
What is the genre (and does the movie fit within that frame)?
-
What are the key ideas?
2. The Plot
To discuss the plot you need to look at the emotions that the movie provokes. Identify the main elements, what kind of storytelling is present, and whether it is engaging for the viewers. Then, get closer by addressing the plot’s predictability, if the events were shocking or bland, was there any tension, and so on. You can define the plot as logical, melodramatic, full of twists, coherent, etc.
3. The Movie’s Structure
For the movie’s structure, you need to observe how the parts of the movie are related to each other. The structure involves the following:
-
How the characters and their stories were introduced
-
The rising tension that leads to the climax
-
The execution of the climax
-
How the action began to fall
-
The resolution that concludes the story
Remember that you should follow the line that connects these parts. Define whether the director managed to put all the pieces together properly.
4. Characters
Focus on the main characters in terms of their personalities, interactions, behavior, motivations, etc. Concentrate on specific characters that are most important in this film. Set your priorities straight. Conclude if the characters' appearance and actions match the role it fulfills. Also, pay attention to how convincing the characters were.
5. Dialogue
Did the dialogue sound natural? Did the conversation develop logically? Did the gestures go along with the dialogue? These are just some of the questions you should focus on in this segment. Good and convincing dialogues are essential for a good film. Therefore, they deserve a segment in your paper.
6. The Scenes
This element has to consider both the production and the acting. You should discuss how well-shot the scenes were, their artistic feel, how the scenes developed, the effects that were used, how the actors played out the scenes, and so on. The scenes make the movie what it is. So, proper scene transition and how they were interconnected matters.
Movie Critique Paper Examples
Reading other people’s work can help you turn that creativity switch on. Take a look at the following examples to get inspired.
If you want to browse for more essays, you can see here many free essay samples. Exposing yourself to great writing helps you improve your own skills.
Final Thoughts
With these tips and examples in your possession, you have all the necessary tools for writing an excellent movie critique. Invest your time, effort, and engage in research if you want your paper to really stand out. Writing a movie critique can be a fun challenge. All you need is to go all.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Diana Adjadj is a writer and editor who has a Master's degree in Psychology. She combines her passion for writing with her interest in research and creates thought-provoking content in various fields. Besides working as a freelance writer, Diana also runs her blog. What inspires her the most in her writing is traveling and meeting new people.
LOGO DESIGNED BY MEENTS ILLUSTRATED
from Review Blog - Every Movie Has a Lesson https://ift.tt/3l7gQfp
No comments:
Post a Comment