Documentary films use a variety of toolsimages, language, sound, editing, narrative structure, and other film techniquesto make arguments about the world. For your first major essay, you will view a full-length documentary on a topic related to media or the environment, then write an analytical essay evaluating how the film constructs its argument. Your essay should make a clear claim about the documentarys persuasiveness. Do you find the film persuasive, somewhat persuasive, or unpersuasive? Why? In answering this question, analyze how the filmmaker uses visual and auditory elements as environmental or political rhetoric, and how these elements work together to shape the viewers response.
In your analysis, you should draw on concepts we have discussed in class, including System 1 and System 2 thinking, cognitive biases, rhetorical fallacies, and/or the notion of post-truth. To be clear, you don’t have to address all of these, but you should interact with what we’ve been discussing in class. For example, you might consider:
- Whether the film primarily appeals to System 1 thinking (emotion, intuition, rapid judgment) or System 2 thinking (deliberation, evidence, slow reasoning)or how it combines the two.
- How the documentary anticipates or exploits cognitive biases such as confirmation bias, anchoring, availability, or motivated reasoning.
- How the film operates within or depicts a post-truth context, where emotional resonance, identity, or narrative framing may compete withor overrideempirical evidence.
- Whether the film encourages critical reflection or reinforces preexisting beliefs.
You should also evaluate the documentarys rhetorical situation, including its intended audience, purpose, and broader cultural or political context. Analyze the filmmakers use of rhetorical appeals (ethos, pathos, logos) and consider whether any rhetorical fallacies or manipulative strategies weaken the films argument. Your essay should demonstrate close analysis. Rather than summarizing the film, pick it apart: show how specific scenes, images, editing choices, or moments of narration contribute to the documentarys overall persuasive force (or undermine it). You may wish to focus closely on a particularly significant scene and provide a brief scene analysis to support your claims. All of this requires close viewing.
In addition to the documentary, you must incorporate at least one secondary source. This may be a reading from class (such as Daniel Kahneman’s chapter on System 1 and System 2 thinking, Lee McIntire’s chapter on post-truth and science denialism, or something from Critical Thinking) or a reputable external source that engages with the documentarys topic. While secondary sources should help frame your analysis, the primary focus should remain on the documentary itself. Include a minimum of two direct quotes. If you quote from the documentary, follow MLA guidlines on the citations; include the title of the film and the timestamp in the in-text citation.
Requirements:
- Minimum length: 1,250 words
- MLA format
- An engaging introduction that opens compellingly, introduces the film
- A clear thesis that evaluates the persuasiveness of the film
- Focus on context (the rhetorical situation) and at least two rhetorical appeals
- An analytical focus that concentrates on the film (rather than the issue itself)
- Well-developed paragraphs, illustrating close analysis
- Use of concepts we’ve covered in the course (System 1 and System 2 thinking, cognitive biases, rhetorical fallacies, and/or post-truth)
- A minimum of two direct quotes
- A strong conclusion that focuses on a closing idea and doesn’t simply recap
- A works cited page
- The WRTR 1313 rubric at the end of the essay
The documentary I chose is The Truth vs. Alex Jones, 2024 (Alex Jones & Sandy Hook)
Read the carefully. Then create a formal outline for Essay 1. Make sure the outline does the following three things: (1) it is specific, (2) it shows the development of each paragraph, and (3) it uses some type of notation (I, II, III, A, B, C, etc.). Show the organization; don’t just include a big chunk of text after you write your first page, as that chunk could be disorganized and doesn’t show the hierarchy of information. Here are some pointers:
- Be sure to open the essay compellingly.
- Then introduce the film.
- Make sure you end the intro with a strong thesis that is evaluates the documentary. It should relate the text to an argument and reframe it in the present.
- You should probably have around 4 to 5 body paragraphs.
- Don’t forget to have at least 1 additional source (max 3). It could be background for the intro, an opinion about the film, or a source about the present issue you are focusing on.
- Start with strong topic sentences, which evaluate the film.
- Use specific examples, and be sure to explain your examples relate to the rhetorical appeals.
- Include a minimum of two quotes. Include the timestamp (Film Title 00:00:00-00:00:00) on quotes from a film.
- Save something new for your conclusion rather than only summing up your points. Focus on a closing idea.
I will also include the sample outline
this is just the outline