YEAR 10 RESPONSE TO TEXT:
WRITING AN ESSAY ON THE FILM
FREEDOM WRITERS
 Over the next week you are going to learn how to write a response to Freedom
Writers in the form of a formal essay.
 As a class we will be looking in detail at: expressing and developing ideas by using
examples and explanations; developing a formal writing style; and structuring
essays appropriately.
 The Level 5 Assessment Criteria will help you understand what is required at each
level of achievement.
 This activity will also help to prepare you for essay writing in your end of year
exams, as the structure that we will use can be applied to any text.
ESSAY QUESTION: Describe three important production techniques
used in this film. Explain why they were important. Write about 300 –
400 words (just over a page).
FORMAL WRITING LEVEL 5 : ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
TOWARDS
 Limited ideas
ACHIEVED
 Ideas developed with  Ideas developed
developed.
some detail.
 Some evidence of
 Some evidence of
appropriate style,
with lapses.
 Writing conventions
MERIT
appropriate style.
 Organisation
with detail.
 Evidence of
appropriate style.
 Organisation
evident.
EXCELLENCE
 Ideas are welldeveloped and
supported by
detail.
 Evidence of
appropriate style
throughout.
evident.
used, with lapses.
 Some errors in
writing
conventions
(spelling,
punctuation,
sentence structure,
paragraphing).
 Few errors in
writing
conventions
(spelling,
punctuation,
sentence structure,
paragraphing).
 Writing is clearly
organised.
 Few errors in
writing
conventions
(spelling,
punctuation,
sentence structure,
paragraphing).
Writing Your Essay
Step One:

Think about your response to the question. Jot down possible answers,
reasons, examples, ideas.

What are the most important production techniques used in the sequences we
have analysed?

Why? (Why are they used? What effect do they create?)

What are some specific examples?
Step Two:

Draft out your introduction. This should start with the main words of the
essay topic and include your response to it with general reasons.

Eg. In the film Freedom Writers, directed by Richard LaGravenese, three
important production techniques are …………....., ……………,
and………………… They were important because……………………….....
Step Three:

Paragraph one: Take one of the main points from your argument and write it
down.

Make sure this point refers directly to the question.

This is called a statement or topic sentence.

E.g. One important technique used in Freedom Writers is ………………….

Find an example from the text to support this statement and describe it.

If possible, find a specific quote from the text which adds to this example
(because we are talking about production techniques in this essay, quotes
might not always be relevant or important, although in some cases you will be
able to find quotes to include in your explanations).

Finally, explain your example (reasons and effects) and how it supports or
justifies the statement you have made and how it links to the topic.

E.g. In this particular example, ……………….(production technique) is/are
important due to the fact that………………………………….…………….
Step Four:

Repeat step three for the following two paragraphs, giving statements,
examples, and explanations.

A useful way to remember this paragraph structure is with the acronym S.E.X.
Step Five:

Summarise the main ideas in your essay in about two sentences.

Do not repeat phrases but do not introduce new ideas.

E.g. In conclusion, production techniques such as …………., ………….., and
…………….. are important because…………………………………………...
They are used by the director to………………………………………………..
Exemplar Essay (Excellence)
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Directed by Chris Columbus
This is the second film in the story of the boy wizard, Harry Potter. A lot of scenes
are about magic spells or flying. Two production techniques are special effects, such
as the computer-generated house elf, Dobby, and wire work against backdrops.
Firstly, Dobby looks very solid even though he seems to pop in and out of thin air in
scenes with real actors. This has been done by computer but it helps the audience
believe in the magic world of the film. He is obviously not a human actor as he has a
bony white body and big triangular ears, but he speaks with a human voice. At first
Dobby seems to be trying to hurt Harry but really he is trying to save him. We learn
that you cannot always believe what you see or hear, and that is part of the challenge
for Harry as well.
A second technique is the use of the unseen wires for the flying car and the
broomsticks. These are set against film of the countryside or Quidditch towers and it
looks very real. You know that Harry and Ron cannot really be flying in a car, but it
is part of the magic of film. It also adds to the sense of danger as Harry almost falls
out of the car and hangs on with one hand, and he gets knocked off his broomstick. It
looks like it really hurts!
To sum up, these two production techniques: computer images and wires, are an
important part of creating the magic effects in this film. Chris Columbus has made it
easy to believe that Harry Potter is a real person in a real magic world, and that the
dangers are real. Just like Harry, we cannot always trust our eyes and ears.
(Reiko) 302 words.
To move to level 6 the student could show more understanding of how these techniques convey
the main ideas, and fit into the whole structure of the text, provide more details and examples,
and develop a more formal tone.
Important Things to Remember
when Writing any Essay
1. Keep referring back to the question to make sure you are answering it.
2. Quotes: It is good to include specific quotes from the text but make sure they
are relevant to the question, and the specific technique/idea that you are
discussing.
3. Your conclusion should not include any new information.
4. Avoid summarising the plot. Although it is important to illustrate that you
have some knowledge and familiarity of the text, it is important not to get
carried away.
5. In an exam, always keep an eye on the time to make sure you have enough
time to complete your essay.
6. Proof read your work. Read through your essay to check for any spelling and
grammar mistakes and make sure that everything makes sense. Again ensure
that you have answered the question.