This is NOT a research paper; rather, it is an opportunity for you to think critically [and creatively]. Therefore you encouraged to do NO outside research…..unless you want to re-watch the film and/or discuss ideas with classmates. NO quotes will be allowed from outside sources, and, of course, no “plagiarism,” i.e. using anyone else’s ideas without attribution.
3. NO WORD COUNT, but your paper will require 5-7 paragraphs EACH paragraph must have 5-7 sentences: Include a TOPIC sentence and concluding sentence with each paragraph.
**The Topic Sentence of each paragraph needs to be a general statement, more opinion than fact.
**Content of each paragraph may have a quote or two, but only a quote from a character that you have read on the homework pages, your notes from viewing the film, or a transcript of the film. [If you do listen to the film with commentary, then you may use a quote or two from the film commentator].
** No quotes in your topic sentences or concluding sentences.
** Each quote needs an introductory sentence to prepare the reader for the quote.
4. TOPICS: Choose from one of the four suggestions below. If, however, you can come up with another topic, it MUST be approved by the instructor.
** A) What really happened in Japan way back when a Samurai died and his wife was raped. For this topic, you may “decide” what exactly happened based on your interpretation of the testimonies that you heard. Whom you believed and whom you didn’t believe and WHY. You may imagine what you want AS LONG AS you can cite evidence to support your conclusions. Remember that people see facts in different ways. “Reality” and “Truth” may be different to different people.
**B) A character study of the Woodcutter, the Priest, the Commoner, the Husband/Samurai, the Wife, or the Bandit. Only ONE character may be chosen. As in your assignment for the 12 Angry Men, your study will be based on the character’s words and actions., (This means that you must interpret the truthfulness of any of the witness statements.) As with the 12 Angry Men paper, the best papers will discuss three character traits and support those traits with words and actions of the character.
**C) What lessons did you learn from the film. Please do not do outside research. This paper needs to provide your own thinking on issues like [but not limited to] TRUTH, LYING, MALE/FEMALE RELATIONSHIPS, MALE DOMINATION, FEMALE VICTIMHOOD, etc.
**D) Symbolism: You may choose any of these features of the film that were used to symbolize ideas beyond their basic meanings: e.g., crying, laughing, the baby, the storm, the sun, light & shadow, etc. If you do the symbolism paper, make certain that you devote one paragraph to each of the symbols you study. Choose at least three symbols and write only one paragraph about each symbol.
5. Introduction & Conclusion:
**Your 5-7 sentence introduction should include a THESIS STATEMENT, i.e., the main idea you will try to prove/describe with your paper.
**Your introduction will be most effective IF you write the Body Paragraphs BEFORE you write your introduction . Beginning with an introduction will take more time than simply using it to INTRODUCE what your paper will talk about. Students typically struggle with how to begin, but this won’t happen to you if you have narrowed your focus on telling ONE story at a time, i.e., one body paragraph at a time.
**Your conclusion should be organic, i.e., it should flow naturally from the thoughts you have shared in your paper. Do not write IN CONCLUSION, and do not summarize. If you make your points well enough in the body of your essay, you do not need to bore your reader by repeating yourself. What SHOULD go in the conclusion: (a) the ultimate lessons you learned from the experience and/or (b) what readers should take away from your thoughts as expressed in your paper.
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