EA 2.2: Writing About Style

Prompt: How does Tim Burton use cinematic techniques to achieve a desired effect?

Introduction Paragraph

Begin with a hook. This could be a quote from Tim Burton or one of the actors who frequently appears in one of his films. It could be an interesting fact about the director.

Provide some background about the director. You can find some information online or in the textbook on pg. 133.

Close with a thesis that answers the prompt.Writing Prompt: How does Tim Burton use cinematic

techniques to achieve a desired effect?

Beetlejuice Body Paragraph

How to start:

In most films death is portrayed as….; however in his film Beetlejuice, Burton challenges this stereotype by using…technique and purpose example of how it’s used commentary explaining the effect

How does director Tim Burton use cinematic techniques to give his film Beetlejuice a particular

style?

You should have at least two pieces of evidence, one for sound and one for lighting. Be sure to provide

context for your evidence.

How to start:In most films death is portrayed as….; however in his film Beetlejuice, Burton challenges this stereotype by using cinematic techniques such as sound and lighting to portray the living as… For example, when the Maitlands first enter the land of the dead following their car crash, the scene is… This causes the audience to feel… However, upon returning to their home, three months have passed and new residents, the Dietzeshave…

How does director Tim Burton use cinematic techniques to give his film Beetlejuice a particular style?

Be sure to describe the scene in detail, identify the characters involved and how the cinematic technique is used. Follow this up with commentary of how this example serves as evidence.

Edward Scissorhands Body Paragraph

Topic Sentence

Tim Burton continues to entertain viewers by celebrating the strange and unusual in his film Edward Scissorhands. Burton often combines shots and lighting to aid in the development of the film's theme... For example…

technique and purpose example of how it’s used commentary explaining the effect

Be sure to describe the scene in detail, identify the characters involved and how the cinematic technique is used. Follow this up with commentary of how this example serves as evidence.

Big Fish Body Paragraph

Unlike many of Burton’s other films, Big Fish doesn’t center on the macabre, but rather on the extraordinary life of traveling salesman, Edward Bloom. Burton uses a variety of cinematic techniques to blend reality and fantasy as Bloom narrates his life in a series of flashbacks. For instance….

Be sure to describe the scene in detail, identify the characters involved and how the cinematic technique is used. Follow this up with commentary of how this example serves as evidence.

In his film Big Fish, how does director Tim Burton use cinematic techniques to create the fantastic

elements of Edward Bloom’s life?

Your Conclusion Paragraph

Begin with a transition that indicates your essay is coming to a close.

Reiterate the thesis and your main points.

Provide a closing thought about Tim Burton’s style of filmmaking.

Rubric

Standard Exemplary Meets Standard Approaching Standard InsufficientCC.9-10.W.2.a Text Types

and Purposes: Introduce a

topic; organize complex

ideas, concepts, and

information to make important

connections and distinctions

Begin with an insightful hook

that transitions into a strong

and complex thesis which

responds to all aspects of the

writing prompt. Properly

format the paper.

Begin with a hook that

transitions into a strong

thesis. Properly format the

paper.

Introduce the topic and

include a thesis.

Does not clearly introduce

the topic or include a thesis.

CC.9-10.W.2.b Text Types

and Purposes: Develop the

topic with well-chosen,

relevant examples

Include three or more well-

chosen pieces of textual

evidence to best support your

analysis. Include accurate

citations.

Include at least two pieces of

textual evidence that supports

your analysis. Include

accurate citations.

Include at least one piece of

textual evidence that supports

your thematic analysis.

Include citations.

Does not include textual

evidence and/or the evidence

does not support analysis.

CC.9-10.W.2.d Text Types

and Purposes: Use precise

language and domain-specific

vocabulary

Accurately and smoothly

embed multiple cinematic

vocabulary terms

Accurately use multiple

cinematic vocabulary terms

Accurately use some

cinematic vocabulary terms

Does not accurately use

cinematic vocabulary terms

CC.9-10.W.4 Production and

Distribution of Writing:

Produce clear and coherent

writing

Includes all elements of a

coherent essay:

Introduction

Topic sentences

Concluding sentences

Multiple paragraphs

Conclusion

Cohesive whole

Embedded evidence

Includes most elements of a

coherent essay:

Introduction

Topic sentences

Concluding sentences

Multiple paragraphs

Conclusion

Cohesive whole

Embedded evidence

Includes some elements of a

coherent essay:

Introduction

Topic sentences

Concluding sentences

Multiple paragraphs

Conclusion

Cohesive whole

Embedded evidence

Includes few elements of a

coherent essay:

Introduction

Topic sentences

Concluding sentences

Multiple paragraphs

Conclusion

Cohesive whole

Embedded evidence