The resources below offer tips on writing about film.
Professor Recommended Book
A Short Guide to Writing about Film by
This best-selling text is a succinct guide to thinking critically and writing precisely about film. Both an introduction to film study and a practical writing guide, this brief text introduces students to major film theories as well as film terminology, enabling them to write more thoughtfully and critically. With numerous student and professional examples, this engaging and practical guide progresses from taking notes and writing first drafts to creating polished essays and comprehensive research projects. Moving from movie reviews to theoretical and critical essays, the text demonstrates how an analysis of a film can become more subtle and rigorous as part of a compositional process.
ISBN: 9780321965240Publication Date: 2014-07-13
Professor Recommended Book
Writing about Movies by ISBN: 9780393265231Publication Date: 2015-09-11The most succinct, practical, and affordable introduction to thinking and writing about film. Writing About Movies offers students two books in one: a handy guide to the process of academic writing and a brief but thorough introduction to the basics of film form, film theory, and film analysis. Written by the director of the Warren College Writing Program at University of California, San Diego, and the authors of the leading introductory film studies text, Writing About Movies is the only writing guide a student of film will need.
Tips on Film Viewing
Review or Critique?
Pay attention to what your assignment asks of you. In general terms, a film review describes a film, provides a summary, and comments about entertainment value or appeal. Critical analysis of a film considers deeper issues such social, historical, or political impact within a context.
