Do a close reading of Jaws (1975). Consider the following key features of a textual analysis:
An arguable thesis. A textual analysis is a form of argument. You are arguing that the film should be read in a certain way. Your thesis should be arguable. A mere summary would not be arguable and therefore is not a good thesis
Careful attention to the formal properties of the film. The key to analyzing a filmic text is looking carefully at two things: film style (mise-en-scene, editing, cinematography, sound) and film narrative. The interplay between style and narrative is the foundation of a film text’s meaning.
Attention to patterns or themes. Your reading of the film should be built on evidence of meaningful patterns or themes within the film. You may also bring in contextual information about the political, economic and cultural contexts that shaped the film.
A clear interpretation. A textual analysis demonstrates the plausibility of its thesis using evidence from the text and, sometimes, relevant contextual evidence to explain how the formal patters and themes support a particular interpretation. You are basically showing readers one way the text may be read and understood; that is your interpretation
IMPORTANT: I am specifically looking for an ORIGINAL reading of the film. Do not restate someone else’s reading of a text (e.g. Abel on Fargo). You should only use their concepts or methods to advance a reading of you own.
FORMAT OF PAPER: Responses should be roughly 5 typewritten, double-spaced pages. Given the length limit, try to be selective about the examples from the film and the readings you use to make and support your claims. Your essay should be polished, proofread, and as free from mechanical and grammatical errors as possible. Use the MLA style for citing and documenting your sources.