Formal Analysis Paper Assignment. Meshes Of The Afternoon Analysis

FORMAL ANALYSIS PAPER ASSIGNMENT (15%: draft 5% + revision 10%)

Prompt:

Select a short sequence (at least 1 min. in length, but no more than 1:45 mins.) that you find

thought-provoking in Meshes of the Afternoon. Watch the sequence at least 3 times while taking notes what you see –– using the Formal analysis handout and other Blackboard materials as a guide. To aid in writing a formal analysis essay, you should think as if you were describing the artwork to someone who has never seen it before. When your reader finishes reading your analysis, they should have a complete mental picture of what the scene looks like.

Yet, the formal analysis is more than just a description of the work. It should also include a thesis statement that reflects your conclusions about the sequence. The thesis statement may answer a question like:  What do I think is the meaning of this sequence? What is the message that this scene or artist sends to the viewer? It is important to remember that your interest here is strictly formal; NO RESEARCH IS TO BE USED IN THIS PAPER.

The introduction should end with your thesis statement, which will set the tone for the entire paper. The rest of the formal analysis should include not only a description of the sequence, but also details of each shot and/or frame that have led you to come to your thesis. Your paper should have a sense of order, moving purposefully through your description with regard to specific elements (e.g. one paragraph may deal with composition, another with a description of the figures, another on positive/negative space, etc.). In your conclusion (the final paragraph) you should end your paper with a restatement of your thesis.

Format:

     2-3 pages, double spaced, 1” borders, Times New Roman, 12 pt. type

     Thesis statement in BOLD type

     At top of the first page write the following header (single spaced):

Name (e.g. Gabriella Shypula) Date (e.g. 02/06/2019)

Maya Deren and Alexander Hamid, Meshes of the Afternoon, 1943: *time stamp* (e.g. 2:16-3:16)

Materials:

     Maya Deren and Alexander Hamid, Meshes of the Afternoon, 1943:

https://youtu(dot)be/N5UzZl8er28?t=20

     Formal analysis handout from class (1/31), additional help found on Blackboard

Late Assignments:

Assignments submitted late will be marked down one letter grade for each day they are late.

Extensions for assignments are granted only in cases of emergency.

Academic Integrity:

Each student must pursue their academic goals honestly and be personally accountable for all

submitted work. Representing another person's work as your own is always wrong. Any suspected instance of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Academic Judiciary. For more please refer to: www(dot)stonybrook(dot)edu/academicintegrity.

FORMAL ANALYSIS PAPER RUBRIC:

Task                   Poor (D)                  Average (C)                        Good (B)                       Excellent (A)

Organization

20 pts.

unorganized list of points; lacks a defined intro or conclusion

has clear intro, may be a restatement of assigned question; identifies

some main points but

lacks a sense of their relative importance; may not distinguish between major points and supporting details;

includes much

repetition or restatement, without development

clear introduction and summary at end; generally clear structure but may lack direction or progression; some points may not contribute to meaning or goal of paper; conclusion is merely a summary of points made or a repetition of intro.

organization shows reader how to understand topic; introduction contains an idea; main points well supported by details; examples well chosen; strong conclusion that attempts to bring ideas together.

Description

25 pts.

the sequence is not identified; vocabulary is incorrect or ineffectively used to describe the scene

the sequence is identified, but vocabulary is incorrect or ineffectively used to describe the artwork

the sequence is identified; vocabulary is mostly correct and used to describe the artwork somewhat effectively

the sequence is identified; vocabulary is used correctly to describe the artwork effectively and clearly

Analysis

25 pts.

the relationship of different formal elements is ignored or incorrectly explained.

focus given to specific formal element(s) without considering relationships between different components; mentions multiple formal elements but lacks developed discussion or analysis

focus given to one or two formal elements with some consideration of relationships; includes some discussion of how elements aid viewer understanding

Focus given to two or more formal elements; clear explanation of relationship of different elements and how they contribute to viewer understanding

Interpretation and articulation of own ideas

20 pts.

merely restates course assignment information

some attempt to convey own ideas but includes errors of fact, does not support ideas with concrete examples

some informed interpretation of the art or historical contexts but may include errors and lack visual or documentary support.

balanced treatment of observation and documentary evidence, leading to student’s own, informed interpretation of materials and concepts.

Writing Skills

10 pts.

lacks verbal competence

writing is basically correct; paper may contain several errors of spelling, punctuation, grammar; there is little variety in sentence structure.

generally clear writing with no serious errors or sloppy syntax; avoids excessive passive voice or convoluted sentence structure.

vigorous style, correct grammar and vocabulary; integrates visual description into discussion effectively; presents an individual voice