Writing your Catalogue

What is the Catalogue• List of the best research material you have found• Mix of Primary and Secondary Research• Diversity of material• 15 items (can be less for a more challenging or

unusual topic)• 2 – 5 rejected sources as the conclusion • Total of 20 items• Approx. 1000 words• Worth 15 marks

How to choose items

• Have a range to choose from• Weigh the value of each item (is it merely just listing

basic fact eg imdb or does it offer more detailed insight)

• Consider the source of the publication – is it from a local newspaper or an well known source like Sight and Sound

• Is the source specific to your topic or is it a more general source

• Keep a balance (even if things contradict your key ideas) and variety

What to write

• In approximately 70 words you need to comment on the following– How the item relates to the area of investigate (ie

a key piece of information– What value the items has to offer– The nature and reliability of its source– How is compare to other items– The basis for its inclusion (ie why you have

included it)

Some examples -The Emergence of a ‘gothic’ genre in American films

• Item 1: Edward Scissorhands (Fox, US, 1990, Dir. Tim Burton). Very useful, as it has all the markers of the new gothic genre on display, and also has a clear relationship with Burton's early films and his later ones.

• Item 2: The Crow (Entertainment/Most/Pressman, US, 1994, Dir. Alex Proyas). The genre was still in cult territory here, and this shows in the comic-book feel. Development of genre markers and influence of Burton is clear. Useful, but could have easily been one of several other films in this place.

• Item 3: The Craft (Columbia, US, 1996, Dir. Andrew Flemming). This is the film that was the turning point for the genre, where it suddenly not only got mainstream acceptance but also spawned similar films. Very much a teen movie, this shows the changing focus towards a new audience. Invaluable.

• Item 4: Baiss, B. The Crow: The Story Behind the Film (Titan, 2004). This was a very good piece of research, as it not only told the story of making the film but also gave a broad overview of what makes a gothic film. This is possibly the most useful piece in the catalogue.

• Item 5: Smith, J. and Matthews, C. Tim Burton (Virgin, 2002). This gives a clear sense of what Burton's work is all about, and how he practically defined the new American gothic genre. Detailed information on all of his films, and on the thoughts behind them, this led me to some of the other material in the Catalogue and some deselected from it.

• Item 6: Tim Burton: Cinema's Prince of Darkness, supplement in SFX Magazine, March 2005. Details on Burton with a clear emphasis on the gothic elements. Could not miss being included.

• Item 7: Travers, P. Auteur in Angora' in Rolling Stone Magazine, July 1995. An interesting article that looks at Burton as an auteur - some good refer ences to his film and some discussion of his 'burtonesque' genre

• Item 8: http://www.thetimburtoncollective.com The Tim Burton Collective is a fan-based site that offers a considerable range of articles, biographical information, and links for Tim Burton. This was the best of the Tim Burton related sites, as it seemed authoritative and was also recommended by many other sources.

• Item 9: http://www.sensesofcinema.com/contents/04/31/lost in trans lation.html. 'Neon Gothic: Lost in Translation' by Wendy Halsem - this is a great article by a university lecturer that served to widen my view of the gothic. Full of film references, it took my research in several unexpected directions (some not so fruitful).

• Item 10: http://minadream.com/timburton/EdwardScissorHands.htm. This is quite a sophisticated site, but I sense it is still a fan site. Full of information about Burton and the gothic, this was particularly useful for looking at Edward Scissorhands.

Having a go• Look over the sources you have found so far. Pick five

that you think should be included in your catalogue.• Write up your 70 word description of each source• Choose one source that could be a reject source and

write a short paragraph saying why (look at the example in the booklet)

• Due in 29 Sept

Sentence Starters 

I. This source has taught me that …..• From this source I have learnt that….• A key piece of information from this source was• This article/source talks about…

V. This is a very good source because…..• This is a very worthwhile article because ……• While this source did have some very good information I have some reservations

about it because …..

R. I feel that this source is reliable because• While this is a fan based site I feel it is valuable because……• This source is trustworthy because…• This source comes from…… and is reliable because…..

C/B. When compare to other sources this article offers….. • This is possibly the most useful piece in the catalogue because….• While this source was similar to others I have included it because does offer…• This source must be included because…..