VISUAL TEXT PRACTISE ESSAY QUESTIONS
TO
 Demonstrate the ideas you have developed during the study of The Reader directed by Stephen
Daldry
 Prepare for the essay required at the end of our film study Term 1, and as preparation for the
visual text achievement standard presented in the external NCEA examinations in Term 4
you are to plan an essay on The Reader directed by Stephen Daldry (the ‘visual text’ you have studied
this year).
STEP ONE: Choose ONE of the 6 questions below.
Make sure
 your chosen question suits the film The Reader
 that you understand the question
 that you can write about the idea(s) expressed in the question, making several points
 that you can provide specific examples from the visual text, for each point, making reference to
visual and/or verbal film techniques
QUESTIONS
1. “Great films often hinge on the successful presentation of one or two key scenes.”
To what extent do you agree with this statement?
Discuss this idea with reference to a film you have studied.
2. “Directors are increasingly using films as a means to critique our society.”
To what extent do you agree with this statement?
Discuss this idea with reference to a film you have studied.
3. “The best films show ordinary people in extraordinary situations.”
To what extent do you agree with this statement?
Discuss this idea with reference to a film you have studied.
4. “A film is most effective when it offers us a fresh perspective on an historical issue.”
To what extent do you agree with this statement?
Discuss this idea with reference to a film you have studied.
5. “At the heart of every great film is a set of characters in opposition to each other.”
To what extent do you agree with this statement?
Discuss this idea with reference to a film you have studied.
6. “Passion and power are at the heart of any good film.”
To what extent do you agree with this statement?
Discuss this idea with reference to a film you have studied.
NOTE: The phrase “To what extent to you agree with the statement?” should be approached in either of
the following three ways…
o
This statement is true, and I will prove it through analysis of The Reader directed by Stephen
Daldry
o
This statement is false, and I will prove it through analysing The Reader directed by Stephen
Daldry
o
This statement is able to be both true and false, and I will prove it through analysing The Reader
directed by Stephen Daldry
STEP TWO: Complete a plan that shows how you intend to answer your chosen question.
Your plan must show how you intend to answer your chosen question while:



Making at least three points in the body of the essay
Providing a range of specific evidence from the text, referring the visual and/or verbal film
techniques, for each of the points you make,
Identifying links between text and the wider world (consider: other places in the same text, texts
of any other genre, real life/historical events/background information about the text and/or author,
critical commentary about the text)