ENGLISH 1121: COLLEGE WRITING AND CRITICAL READING
MOVIES
PAPER ASSIGNMENT
Your assignment is to critically analyze the movie Bound (Wachowski 1996), using ONE of the two methods of
film criticism that we’ve studied: semiotic or structural. Remember that papers should NOT be reviews, and
therefore should not examine or explain whether you liked or would recommend the film or not. Also, papers
should not contain a plot synopsis or character and scene descriptions; assume that the reader is very familiar
with the film. An academic approach is required of each of the options. Below are the elements that each type
of paper should contain to be successful.
Option 1: Semiotic Criticism
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a clear thesis that gives your overall theory of your analysis
an in-depth analysis of the film as a rhetorical artifact, which means that the writer assumes that films have
intentional meanings embedded in their characters, names, props, sets and settings, props and costumes,
actions, camera shots, camera angles and focus, editing, lighting, language and words, and so on.
A strict avoidance of self-conscious writing (the use of "I," "me," "my," or "myself") or reference to the paper
itself ("This paper/paragraph will offer proof that . . ."); and writing that directly addresses the reader (the
use of "you"); and writing that includes both the writer and reader (the use of "we" or "us")
Option 2: Structural Criticism
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
a clear thesis that gives your overall theory of your analysis
an in-depth analysis of the film, viewed through a particular orientation or structure that you will use to
analyze the film, such as mythic, feminist, philosophic, psychoanalytic, or sociologic
 mythic approach—analyze how the film portrays and deals with specific mythology, such as classical,
religious, cultural, or moral mythology
 feminist approach—analyze the film’s treatment of women as it supports or negates the role of women
in contemporary society, such as woman as victim, temptress, mother, etc.
 psychoanalytic and sociological approaches—analyze the film by using a model of psychological theory
such as Freud’s or Jung’s, or sociological concepts, such as class, status, race, ethnicity, interaction,
organization, culture, and social movements
 A strict avoidance of self-conscious writing (the use of "I," "me," "my," or "myself") or reference to the
paper itself ("This paper/paragraph will offer proof that . . ."); and writing that directly addresses the
reader (the use of "you"); and writing that includes both the writer and reader (the use of "we" or "us")
Papers must be typed or word-processed, and follow the paper formatting guidelines handed out in class.
Paper bodies must be 1,200-1,500 in length for full credit (with the body’s word count noted in parentheses
after the conclusion), and contain a final Works Cited page, which uses MLA documentation to list the 3
outside sources consulted for this paper (one of which is the film itself). Papers must also contain 3
parenthetically documented quotes or paraphrases from outside sources, with a minimum of one from each
source, also using MLA style. In addition to the usual identifying information required in the top-left
corner of your papers, on this particular paper you must include the type of criticism you are
employing: Semiotic or Structuralist. Please see the Paper Formatting Guidelines handout for more
detailed information.
Please see the Movie Paper Grading Rubric for specific letter-grade requirements.
ENGLISH 1121: COLLEGE WRITING AND CRITICAL READING
MOVIE PAPER GRADING RUBRIC
All categories are worth 10 percent of the total grade. The Total Percentage Earned is the number recorded in the grade
book for this assignment. Formal Papers account for 70 percent of your course grade in English 1121: College Writing
and Critical Reading.
Submission Appearance and Completeness
Thesis and Focus
Organization and Structure
Clarity and Style
Breadth
Audience Awareness and Tone
Critical Thinking Skills
Grasp of Material
MLA Documentation (in-text citations; Works Cited
Entries)
Grammar/Mechanics
Paper is professional in appearance and formatted
according to class guidelines. Analysis type is
labeled.
Thesis is clear and focused. It addresses all points of
the assignment.
Presentation and development are logical.
Paragraphs are complete, well-developed, and contain
only one topic each.
Ideas are clearly linked.
Ideas are clearly communicated to reader.
Command of language and style is demonstrated
through proficient and even impressive use of collegelevel vocabulary, sentence structure, and sentence
variety.
Word choice is accurate.
Depth is sufficient to fully cover and explore and
support topic.
Satisfactory explanation and reasoning are presented
for all ideas.
Strong audience awareness and appropriateness is
shown.
Writing and ideas are academically rigorous, and
consistently engage reader.
Paper achieves its purpose.
An impressive degree of sophistication and depth of
thought is exhibited.
Writer takes chances, and is willing to explore ideas
that may be controversial, edgy, unconventional, or
even radical.
Finished assignment demonstrates mastery of subject
matter.
Required number of sources and in-text citations are
included.
Writer documents in-text citations and list of works
cited correctly.
Sources are relevant, credible, varied, and of high
quality.
Standard American English is employed correctly
throughout.
Generally free from errors in editing, including
grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
Total Percentage Earned
90-100
80-89
70-79
60-69
0-59
A
B
C
D
F
Excellent; Far Exceeds Expectations
Very Good; Above Expectations
Good; Meets Expectations
Needs Work to Fully Meet Expectations and Requirements
Does Not Meet Expectations and Requirements