Write-Up #6 Assignment
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) Michel Gondry
“Madness in Movies” Coordinated Studies
Brian Holt & JC Clapp, North Seattle Community College, 2012
Focus/Topic of Write-Up #6: 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 Joel or
Clementine 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?
What does the character say? How does the character speak?
What is revealed through the character’s private thoughts 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 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 (10 points): We will be looking for these elements when we grade your Write-Up:
 A thorough character analysis of either Clementine or Joel
 A minimum of 500 words (about 1 ½ pages)
 A heading that includes the name of the film, the year, and the name of the director
 Assignment typed in 12 pt. font, double spaced, and has 1 inch margins
 No response, critique, review, evaluation, or reaction
 No ideas or word used from any other source
 Grammatically correct and proofread – if there are extensive problems in this category, the
paper as a whole will not earn more than 6 points.