Your Viewer’s Journal is an important part of your course work. After
each cinematheque screening, write a concise journal entry, about 350-
500 words, addressing the film you viewed. You are welcome to
approach writing your journal entries from your personal perspective,
however, your journal entry should not be just a summary the narrative
or plot of the film. Rather, it should be an informed analysis or reflection
on the film viewed through research and study of factual materials
pertaining to the given film. If you state what you like and dislike about
the film, back it up with critical points. Use your class notes and notes
from assigned readings to help you to understand and contextualize each
film in its’ historic and broader social context. You need to give each of
your journal entries a title that best conveys the essence of your paper.
Your journal entries should be to the point and helpful to yourself in
terms of finding your own voice.
Each journal entry must be typewritten and grammatically correct. Your
name and the date must be in the upper right corner, the title of your
journal entry needs to be in bold type. Viewer’s journals are due each
Monday at 3pm, following the cinematheque from the previous week.
Each journal should be submitted electronically through BlackBoard
only. Any work submitted after the deadline will be subject to grade
loss.
At our last class meeting (last week of December), each student will
submit a hard copy of the complete set of original journal entries, one
for each film viewed.
Consider using some of these questions as guidelines in identifying your
main points:
- What discovery(ies) did I make from watching this film? What
stands out? - What is/are the filmmaker(s) interests, commitments, and
intentions? - What, in the material, is of interest, use, controversy, innovation,
inspiration, and so on, for you in your own work? - How does the film make you feel and why? / How is it relatable?
*Identify at least 1 main point/theme (introduction) and 3 subpoints
(main text) in your journal.
*Your journal must include one paragraph of introduction, one to three
paragraphs of main body, and one paragraph of conclusion.
How to write a brief viewer’s journal entry
Your viewer’s journal is a type of analysis. The intent of an analysis is to
increase our knowledge and critical thinking, and thus also appreciation
about a specific subject, in this case a film. In order to be successful, the
analysis has to present a specific structure. The structure of the viewer’s
journal entry presents three major parts: - Introduction – Prologue :
The greek origin of the word “prologue” captures the meaning of this
section. Pro means “before” and logos means “saying”. In other words
the purpose of this section is to introduce your thesis and supporting
elements that will be discussed in the main text.
Every element or supporting point included in this section must be
analyzed and expanded in the main text. If you are not willing to talk
about a specific subject in the main text, do not mention it in the
introduction – prologue. Additional elements that are suitable for this
section are the title of the film, the year it was produced, the name of the
director and other standard information about the film. Be careful to
write the names and dates correctly!!! Internet Movie Database is a
precious tool in this respect.
The introduction or prologue should be no longer than a single
paragraph. - Main Text :
The main text is what the viewer’s journal entry is all about. It would be
helpful to structure the main text into three paragraphs. Each paragraph
must include one thought or supporting argument about the film that
exemplifies your thesis. It would be better to use more than one example
from the film. If you are willing to use other sources to strengthen your
argumentation beside your own, you must provide all the information
regarding the sources that you are using and must be quoted following
proper MLA citation style.
Internet links must be operative. Avoid WIKIPEDIA as your only source
for strengthening your thoughts. Wikipedia is good for acquiring general
information regarding the films you are watching, thus used only as a
starting point.
Sources like newspapers, magazines, blogs or anything else on the
internet should be used only as sources and not as examples of writing
styles. Avoid writing like a film critic. The New York Times or Rolling
Stone are not writing standards.
USE THE LIBRARY AS YOUR MAJOR SOURCE AND INTERNET
ONLY AS A STARTING POINT. - Conclusion – Epilogue :
The conclusion or epilogue is the last paragraph of your journal entry.
The greek origin of the word “epilogue” is indicative of its use inside a
text. Epi means “after” and logos “saying”. In other words the epilogue
is always located at the end of a text and it summarizes and links your
thesis and supporting points together plus gives an all encompassing
impression of the film viewed. It must be no longer than a single
paragraph.
Additional tips:
It is helpful to start with an outline of your paper as a guide to flow
clearly and concisely through your thoughts and paragraphs. You can
identify a single topic to discuss or three in support of your general
analysis. Be careful not to expand too broadly, running the risk of
becoming vague and unspecific.
Example of outline:
I. Introduction A. Thesis = Statement that expresses the main idea or
topic discussed B. Supporting Points = States evidence or points
supporting thesis
II. Body A. Paragraph/Point 1 = Restate and expand on first point
- Explain, cite, and discuss B. Paragraph/Point 2 = Restate and expand
on second point - Explain, cite, and discuss C. Paragraph/Point 3 = Restate and expand
on third point - Explain, cite, and discuss
III. Conclusion/Summary A. Summarize your supporting information =
Make a connection between all three points B. Conclusion of review or
thesis
IV. MLA citations (if needed)
*THE VIEWER’S JOURNAL MUST BE WRITTEN IN TIMES
NEW ROMAN FONT SIZE 12 WITH A DOUBLE LINE
SPACING.
The Writing Center, located at 101 HB Crouse Hall, on
the Quad, but accessible also online, is an excellent resource
available to work with you at any stage of your writing process
and with any kind of writing you're creating. For more
information please visit: http://wc.syr.edu
Sample Solution