Essay Writing Questions

Firstly, if you are concerned about page count, the best thing you can do is to write as if your reader doesn't know anything. 

For example, instead of "In an article about synergy "Authors last name" talked about..." really expand on every detail: "In her article on the emergence of media conglomerations in the 1980s, Jennifer Holt, discusses the importance of synergy in both developing and sustaining these nuanced business relationships."  Now, you can dedicate separate paragraphs to explaining what media conglomerations are, how they came to be, and how they affected film and television.  Then you can discuss the concept of "synergy" and how and why it developed, and how it affected film and television.  Then you can provide detailed examples of films, and then you should be able to offer specific examples from films. 

Again, if you are concerned about page count, write out the full title of articles.

Stick entirely to the course material.

A good essay writing strategy is to answer the question in a very concise single sentence. This will act as your thesis.  The questions are pretty broad, so you should be able to write a single sentence, answering the question.  Even if the question is something like: Discuss the development of media conglomerations.  Your single simple sentence should be something like: "Due to the decline of the film industry and Reagan's policies of deregulation throughout the 1980s, media conglomerates were formed, changing the very content and methods films were produced to serve a consumerist agenda."

Now in your paper, you will need to elaborate on each point in your thesis, providing supportive evidence from films, readings, and lectures. 

Try to remember the article authors and titles, at the very least the author's last name, so you can say Holt's article.

Yes, if you don't hit the minimum 4 pages, you will be penalized.  Going above 6 is not as big of deal, but just be sure you are not just providing page fill.  Four, double-spaced, pages is not a lot of writing.

Anyone going to DeVotchka tonight?  See y'all there: