Annie Hall (1977) Woody Allen
HUM 110: Introduction to American Film
JC Clapp, North Seattle College
Focus/Topic of Write-Up: Characterization
Characterization is the process by which the director reveals to the audience the personality or character traits of a particular character. Usually this characterization is not done directly, but instead we are indirectly informed through the character’s speech, thoughts, actions, appearance, and effect they have on others.
Your Task (What your Write-Up should include): Choose to write about either Alvy Singer or
Annie Hall and then write an analysis of how the character is developed. Consider the below questions as you formulate your response:
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How is the character developed throughout the film? What aspects of his/her apartment, clothing, and physical characteristics give us insights into what kind of person he/she is?
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What does the character say? How does the character speak?
 What is revealed through the character’s private thoughts, voice-overs, and feelings?
 What does the character do? How does the character behave?
 What does the character look like? How does the character dress?
 What is revealed through the character’s effect on other people? How do other characters feel or behave in reaction to the character? How does he/she change, if at all, as the film progresses?
 What does this character tell us about men? Women? Romance?
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How does this film as a whole fit into the romantic comedy genre? Does it break conventions? Adhere to them? How so?
What your Write-Up should not include:
 a review (don’t tell us whether or not you liked the film or character– at all)
 a biography of the director or actors or a synopsis of what the director/actors say in the
“Director’s Cut” of the film
 the use of any research
 a plot summary (don’t tell us what happens in the film – at all.)
Grading Criteria (20 points): I will be looking for these elements when grading your Write-Up:
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A thorough character analysis of either Alvy or Annie
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A minimum of 500 words (about 2+ pages)
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A heading that includes the name of the film, the year, and the name of the director
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Assignment typed in 12 pt. font, double spaced, and has 1 inch margins
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No response, critique, review, evaluation, or reaction
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Grammatically correct and proofread – if there are extensive problems in this category, the paper as a whole will not earn more than 13 points.