Documentary Film Analysis of Tough Guise
How to Write a Documentary Film Analysis
Documentaries are useful as research sources. They are also used quite frequently as supplemental learning tools in the classroom. A common writing assignment is a critical review or analysis of films.
A good review will explain how the film has enhanced the learning experience, but it should also provide an account of your personal response. There are several standard components of a review:
Step 1 Give details of the documentary • Title of the film or documentary: Be sure to name the film in your first paragraph. State the date of its release. • Intended Audience
Step 2 Explain the purpose of the documentary • What is the purpose of the documentary? • What is the main message the director wants to get across to the audience? • What sources are used?
Step 3 State your prior knowledge of the subject • Did you know anything about the subject before you watched the documentary? • What did you expect to see? • What questions did you have about the subject?
Step 4 Summarize the documentary • Who/what is the subject of the documentary? • What happened in the documentary? • What are the main events? • Where was it filmed?
Step 5 Talk about the sound effects, camera work, interviews, special effects • Do you like the sound effects? • Are the images sharp? • How is the filming? What camera angles were used? • Do you like the interviews? What have you learned from the interviews? • Are there any special effects?
Step 6 Give personal comments and recommendation • Which part of the documentary do you like most? Include specific reasons for likes and dislikes. You can’t say “it was boring” unless you provide justification. • What have you learned from it? • Was there anything that surprised you? • What are the drawbacks of the documentary? Again, include specific reasons. • Would you recommend this documentary to your friends?
Documentaries are useful as research sources. They are also used quite frequently as supplemental learning tools in the classroom. A common writing assignment is a critical review or analysis of films.
A good review will explain how the film has enhanced the learning experience, but it should also provide an account of your personal response. There are several standard components of a review:
Step 1 Give details of the documentary • Title of the film or documentary: Be sure to name the film in your first paragraph. State the date of its release. • Intended Audience
Step 2 Explain the purpose of the documentary • What is the purpose of the documentary? • What is the main message the director wants to get across to the audience? • What sources are used?
Step 3 State your prior knowledge of the subject • Did you know anything about the subject before you watched the documentary? • What did you expect to see? • What questions did you have about the subject?
Step 4 Summarize the documentary • Who/what is the subject of the documentary? • What happened in the documentary? • What are the main events? • Where was it filmed?
Step 5 Talk about the sound effects, camera work, interviews, special effects • Do you like the sound effects? • Are the images sharp? • How is the filming? What camera angles were used? • Do you like the interviews? What have you learned from the interviews? • Are there any special effects?
Step 6 Give personal comments and recommendation • Which part of the documentary do you like most? Include specific reasons for likes and dislikes. You can’t say “it was boring” unless you provide justification. • What have you learned from it? • Was there anything that surprised you? • What are the drawbacks of the documentary? Again, include specific reasons. • Would you recommend this documentary to your friends?