American Society and Film
Invasion of the Body Snatchers Essay Checklist
CHECK OFF below to review your essay and turn in with essay.
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Creative title
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Header (see Written Work format)
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Length
(3 full pages; max. 4)
Introductory Paragraph:
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Effective Hook (first sentence, grabs attention, connects to film and/or Cold War, avoids cliché)
Bkgd Info to set Historical Context e.g., enough about the Cold War time period (when? causes?
key players? why communism perceived as a threat? impact?) & film’s basic plot (brief!) so that
thesis will be understandable to an “unfamiliar reader”
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Analytic Thesis: last in paragraph, ONE sentence that answers essay question with your
FULL argument –why/how (i.e., How does the film, the invasion of the body snatchers, reflect the
Cold War world & what is your analysis of the film’s point of view -- i.e., is it anti-communist or critical
of the government’s anti-communist campaign?
Body Paragraphs:
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Analytic Topic Sentence (i.e., “mini-thesis” for entire paragraph) supports thesis argument
Sufficient Evidence: supports ALL parts of the topic sentence, all evidence in each
paragraph connects to analytic topic sentence, body paragraphs combined fully support thesis
Specific Evidence: includes examples from the film and historical evidence to support each
topic sentence (e.g., For example, when Miles and Becky… or ….the Truman Doctrine …)
Organization: logical order of paragraphs to argue thesis: closure for each body par
MLA Parenthetical Cites for all sources used
(Author’s last name page)
EVERY body paragraph meets the above criteria
Really, every single one
Concluding Paragraph:
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Summary of argument (not just a repeat of identical thesis statement, imagine someone was only
going to read this one paragraph)
Closure to essay
Overall, essay uses film to demonstrate effectively your understanding of the Cold War
Writing and Mechanics:
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Written Work format – see handout or web page
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12 pt font Times New Roman
Formal Essay Style – see handout or web page
Sources:  Required evidence: Invasion of the Body Snatchers film and range of assigned
class readings on the Cold War (the documentary films can also be cited) with MLA
citations. NO outside sources permitted.