Essay 3Introduction to the Argument

Two Approaches to Essay 3Film Proposal:Written to the Head of a Film Studio (Specific Audience)

Traditional Argument: Controversial Person (General Audience)

“Films cost a lot of money

to make.”

Film Proposal Possible Objection I: $$

How much $$? Better Find out

before writing to Spielberg or whomever..“You want to

make this film but…

…isn’t it a bit risky? “

“What if no one goes to

see it?”

“Attendance at films is down

at the movies.” (Check out the

stats)

“Films cost a lot of money

to make.”

Acknowledge the opposing side and refute

Possible Objection I: $$

How much $$? Better Find out

before writing to Spielberg or whomever..“You want to

make this film but…

…isn’t it a bit risky? “

“What if no one goes to

see it?”

“Attendance at films is down

at the movies.” (Check out the

stats)

Yes, I realize that the average feature film costs _______ (how much?) to

produce and that attendance at movies has fallen off (cite some stats). However, I believe that this

film will be successful because….

Film Proposal Possible Objection II: The Person the Film Is About

“What type of audience would

really want to know about a person like

this?”

“The subject of your film...”

“…is an unknown person..”

“…at least to most people.”

“What if no one goes because they have never heard of the person?”

Acknowledge the opposing side and refute

Possible objections II:

The subject of your film…

…is an unknown person..

…at least to most people.

What if no one goes?

What type of audience really wants to know about a person

like this?

Yes, I realize that ______ is not especially well known.

However, movies such as ______ demonstrate that

movie-goers do enjoy films that __________. 2017 is a great

time to make this film because….

Sell your reader* on the idea of your film---

*Address your film proposal to

the head of a real film studio.

Definition

Controversial

giving rise or likely to give rise to public

disagreement.

prolonged public dispute, debate, or

contention

subject to controversy; debatable

Traditional Argument: Controversial Person

Not Controversial

Minerva Mirabal was

heroic.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a

martyr.

Rafael Trujillo was a ruthless

dictator.

Traditional Argument: Controversial Person

Finding Arguments from the Opposing Side (those who disagree with you)

Person Is or Is Not a Hero

Find articles on databases.

These may be scholarly articles or

even newspaper stories.

If you cannot find anyone who

disagrees with you…

Traditional Argument: Controversial Person

…then you have not chosen a controversial person and/or made a debatable statement.

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