Carefully watch the documentary film 13th (available on Netflix and YouTube). I recommend taking notes–even if it is just to jot down things that catch your attention. Remember–in a couple of weeks, our next essay will concentrate on this film as well, so these activities are leading up to a more challenging assignment. For your discussion post this week, write an SEER paragraph of approximately 200 words that summarizes the film using SOME of the Elements of Thought (Links to an external site.) https://theelementsofthought.org/the-elements-of-thought-one-by-one/
to help you identify its various components and strategies. Here is a basic outline that you will need to follow.
STATE what you perceive as the purpose for the film. Express this PURPOSE using a strong, descriptive, action verb. For instance, the film’s purpose is to demonstrate the injustices of . . .” or “The film argues for a reform of . . .” Rather than referring to an author, refer to the director (Ava DuVernay) if you need to.
ELABORATE on the statement in the first sentence or two. Consider commenting on the film’s POINT OF VIEW or the KEY QUESTION it is addressing or attempting to answer.
Provide an EXAMPLE of some key INFORMATION that caught your attention in the film–how does it support the overall purpose, argument, or point of view? This information could be in the form of history, footage, personal experience or anecdotes, interviews, etc. Do not try to cover everything–pick out what you consider to be the most compelling data or evidence showcased in the film.
Finally, REVISIT the overall point of the film–what INTERPRETATIONS AND INFERENCES (sometimes thought of as conclusions) does the film ultimately arrive at or stress to the audience, based on the INFORMATION highlighted? Also potentially consider the IMPLICATIONS AND CONSEQUENCES of the film–if we accept what the film is arguing, how should this knowledge affect the outlook and behavior of the audience?
Feel free to address any of the other elements of thought–such as assumptions, etc.–but you are not required to do so.
Include an MLA Works Cited entry for the film at the end of your post
ONE MORE THING: This time, at the end of your post include a discussion question for your classmates to answer in their response. Try to construct a question that you are genuinely interested in seeing discussed. See handout for type of questions. Good discussion questions invite multiple viewpoints–they do not have simple yes or no answers. (we will be coming back to this handout quite a bit later on). Good discussion questions follow the multi-system model on this list, so check it out!
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