The Thriller Comparison Essay + turnitin.

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Due Jan. 27, 2011

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For this essay you must discuss how both Collateral and North by Northwest are part of the thriller genre. You should answer ONE of the following questions: 1. How do North by Northwest and Collateral demonstrate the various conventions of the thriller in similar and different ways? (A simple, straightforward comparison and contrast paper.) 2. How does Hitchcocks North by Northwest set the precedent for a film like Collateral? (Youd have to be a little creative with this, as youd ultimately be discussing the evolution of the genre by discussing only two films, but its possible.) 3. How has the thriller changed over time? 4. How do different scenes in each film perfectly embody different aspects of the genre? (Here you can argue that since both Collateral and North by Northwest are thrillers, that each one specializes in demonstrating a particular aspect of the genre more effectively than the other.) How to structure your essay Introduction/Context: Each film essay should have a proper introduction. Your introduction should introduce the films viewed in class, though you should not discuss the fact that you watched the films in class. Further, you must introduce the topic we are exploring in class, in this case the thriller as a genre. Remember: You must write your introduction as if your audience has never heard of the topic or seen the films - this is called setting the context. All introductory paragraphs should have a specific thesis statement that controls the focus of the essay. Consider the following sample introductions: Sample One The two films North by Northwest and Collateral perfectly embody what thriller movies should look like. They follow the genre almost to a tee. They follow the hero, villain, and love interest, which are part of the thriller genre. 1. What has the writer done well? 2. What does the writer need to work on? 3. What is the thesis? Sample Two

Thriller movies have been around for a long time and were made for one purpose: to get your heart racing. The thriller genre consists of fast pacing, frequent action, and suspense and surprise. There will always be something to drive the plot forward, called the Mac Guffin. Whether it is the secret documents or a satchel full of money, it isnt important to the audience, but vital to the plot. In Hitchcocks North by Northwest, he uses action and suspense to keep the audience on their toes as they watch the innocent Roger Thornhill try to solve the mystery of his own kidnapping. In the same way, Collateral uses violence and gunfire to keep the audience anxious about cab-driver Maxs fate when he is taken hostage by a mad assassin. Old or new, a thriller is always defined by having a powerful villain, an ordinary hero, and a helpless love interest. 1. What has the writer done well? 2. What does the writer need to work on? 3. What is the thesis? Body Paragraphs The bulk of your essay: All body paragraphs should begin with a specific claim. Each claim should support your thesis statement. Your claims can also serve as the topic sentence and focus of the paragraph. The rest of the paragraph should provide sufficient evidence and support for the claim through SPECIFIC SCENE DESCRIPTIONS AND DETAILS FROM THE FILM. Sample Body Paragraph One Suspense was another strong device both films used to make them good thrillers. A pretty successful scene in Collateral was the club scene because it involved numerous murders in a nightclub full of policemen. This scene was pretty intense and kept me on the edge of my seat. A good surprising scene in North by Northwest was the crop dusting scene. It was pretty intense because he was chased down by a crop duster. 1. What has the writer done well? 2. What does the writer need to work on? Sample Body Paragraph Two Something that has changed over time is the view of the everyman in thrillers. In most thrillers the protagonist is usually an everyman, a typical, normal person, who finds himself in trouble. In Collateral the protagonist is Max, a low paid taxi driver who dreams of quitting his job and starting his own limo company. Max is a very normal person and is easy to identify with for most working people, which makes him a great example of an everyman. In North by Northwest, the protagonist is a little different. His name is Roger Thornhill, an advertising executive who is mistaken for a secret government agent. Throughout the film he

wears a well-tailored suit and hires taxis to get from place to place, which shows that he is wealthier than your everyman. In Collateral, Max wears a t-shirt and a hoodie and is hired to drive people from place to place in a taxi. North by Northwest shows that older films feature they type of everyman who is a little richer than your normal person. 1. What has the writer done well? 2. What does the writer need to work on? Conclusion: Once youve made a strong case for your thesis, you put the argument to rest by addressing the implications of your argument. This is the so what portion of the essay. Your conclusion should tell your reader why your argument is significant and relevant. In some cases you may show the consequences of your line of thinking. For this essay, you may wish to discuss the connection between classic thrillers and contemporary thrillers.

Contex

Contex

Pre-writing Guide Thriller Comparison Essay 1. What is the question at issue? Which of the questions will you address in your essay?

2. What is the purpose of your essay? (What do you want your audience to feel or understand when you are finished?)

3. What is your point of view on the issue?

4. Based on your purpose + p.o.v., what is your thesis for the essay?

5. What are the central concepts you will use to guide your essay (what aspects of the thriller will you explore?)

6. Information: What are some key scenes that will help support your thesis?

7. Context: What does your audience need to know to understand the issue at hand? (Imagine that your audience doesnt take film studies.)