Essay Assignment - Soul

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 2

Essay Assignment - Soul

Goals of this assignment: 

- You are able to write an comparative essay about two films.

- You understand the (basic) structure of an essay.

- You can explain in your own words what similarities and dissimilarities are of the two films that you watched.

What is an essay?

The assignment

1. You are going to write a compare-and-contrast essay about two films. In that essay, you compare the film 'Soul' with another film. 
2. The other film you choose yourself. 
3. You can write about similarities or dissimilarities.
4. Between 600 and 800 words.
5. You receive a mark for this essay (x2).
6. You have to write this essay in class. You have 45 minutes to complete the task. 
7. You are allowed to use the outline hand-out during the task. 
8. It is permitted to bring a Dutch-English dictionary to the test.
   
9. 7. You will write your essay in WORD in which you can use all its functions. (spell check, etc.)

Watch the film

During the film, ask yourself the following questions;

1. How does the film make you feel?
2. What happens to the main character; Joe?
3. Which major events happen in the film? 
4. What do you think the title means?

After the film

Homework assignment for next week Thursday:

1. Write a summary about the film 'Soul' in at least 150 words.
2. Look up which themes have been addressed in the film. Include those in your summary. 
3. Watch another film at home that has similar themes. You have to be able to compare the films. 

Movie suggestions

1. Luca (2021)
   
2. Turning Red (2022)
   
3. Onward (2020)
   
4. Coco (2020)
   
5. Klaus (2019)
   
6. Monsters University (2013)
   
7. Up (2009)

8. Vaiana (2016)

Which situations occur
in the movie?

What themes can be
connected to the film?

Life('s complexities) and death (even though it is not a film about death)

Life lessons 

Isolation

Soul began to be developed in 2016, based on the authors’ reflections on the origins of human personality and the concept of determinism. 

In your own words:
what does the title 'Soul' mean?

The soul is a tricky thing to define; each great thinker has tried to establish the essence of living in some way or another, as have countless religions and cultures throughout history. I offer two thought experiments from my own life:

“All soul is immortal. For that which is always in movement is immortal; that which moves something else, and is moved by something else, in ceasing from movement ceases from living.”

- Plato

Plato, for instance, believed that the soul was “immortal.” While the body dies, souls live on essentially rebirthing themselves each time.

What does the 'spark' mean?

But aside from the sappy metaphysicality of it all, a soul’s “spark” - as the film calls it - is meant to drive a person’s existence. It’s not a purpose, as Soul so beautifully explains; rather it’s how one takes that spark and uses it during a lifetime. But be careful not to let that spark go out - this is the fate of the lost souls depicted in the film. To be so far detached from earthly desires is to send oneself on a self-fulfilling prophecy of failure and regret. A soul’s purpose is to discover its purpose. This may take a moment, or even a lifetime, but is something to discover nonetheless.

I think I’ve found my spark; the one that ignites my soul to live each day empowered and ready to conquer a world of inspiration. If not, then I’m having fun searching. Soul’s Joe finds passion in music, in teaching the youth, and in those insignificant, indescribable moments of sensation and satisfaction. I too can find meaning and pursuit in the moments and events that have shaped and defined me, and carry these with me as I continue through a life I have yet to discover.

How to write an essay

Topics discussed:

1. Structure of an essay 

2. Thesis statement

3. Structure of a paragraph

Structure of a compare-and-contrast essay

Goal:

You understand the basic structure of a compare-and-contrast essay. 

You know how to write a thesis statement.

Make sure you make notes!

Structure of an essay

An essay has a clear structure.

1. Start with the introduction

The introduction explains the topic and prepares the reader for the rest of the work. It also contains the thesis statement. 

2. Then your arguments in the body

You explain your point, opinion and thesis statement in the body with examples, data, evidence. You compare the films in details. 

3. Finish with a conclusion.

You repeat your thesis statement again, reiterate your points, wrap it up. 

Useful website: https://www.grammarly.com/blog/essay-writing/ 

Thesis statement

A thesis statement is a sentence in the introductory paragraph that introduces the main reason/argument to the reader. It is the most important sentence in your introduction.

F.e. Both Joe Gartner and Klaus are taught to appreciate life more and are given a second chance. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHDHuumS9Xs&t=1s 

How to write a thesis statement? Explained with Grammarly

Introduction (1st paragraph)

You introduce the topic of your essay to your readers, but you don't explain everything yet. Don't give away too much.

Give, f.e., general information about the film, the writer, background information, etc.

F.e. Disney's Soul has yet again captured the audience's hearts by teaching them a life lesson about expectations and second chances. ...

https://www.grammarly.com/blog/how-to-write-an-introduction/

The body (2nd, 3rd & 4th paragraph)

The conclusion (5th paragraph)

What do your film and Soul have in common

Useful words and phrases

Goal of this lesson: 

You understand how to write a sentence that you can use in a paragraph to explain your argument.

You can use at least three example phrases and words from the conjunction station to create sentences.

Useful phrases
and sentences

The structure of a paragraph

You can write sentences in 

different ways, using multiple

phrases and sentences. 

The conjunction station contains

a clear overview of several usages: 

- emphasizing, comparing, sequencing, contrasting, summarising, examples, adding lines... 

Exercise

You are going to rewrite the sentences in the following slides. Use the conjunction station as aid. 

Focus especially on the start of the sentence. 

This is an individual task.

Rewrite the sentence:
To start with, Joe Gardner learned a valuable lesson.

Rephrase the sentence:
Also, 22 learned what it means to live.

Reword the sentence:
For example; when 22 tasted pizza for the first time, ...

Reiterate the sentence:
Although Joe remains selfish for a long time, he finally realises ...

Paraphrase the sentence:
To end with, Klaus and Joe have learned a similar lesson about life.

Write a paragraph (100 words) about 22 and the lesson he learned about enjoying life, using the phrases and words from the conjunction station.
You must use one form of: sequencing, examples, and comparing lines.

Start with: 22 learned a valuable lesson during the time he spent with Joe. ...

Write a paragraph (100 words) about Joe and the lesson he learned about expectations in life using the phrases and words of the conjunction station.
You must use one form of: contrasting, adding, and example lines.

Start with: Joe forgot what it meant to actually live.

I understand what phrases and words to use when writing a paragraph.

😒🙁😐🙂😃

Thesis statement

Goal of this lesson:

You understand what a thesis statement is. 

You are able to write a thesis statement about Soul and your chosen film.

What must be in
a thesis statement?

A thesis statement

A thesis is a claim (about a work of literature) that needs to be supported by evidence and arguments. The thesis statement is the heart of the literary essay and most of your essay will be spent trying to prove this claim. 

A good thesis statement...

1. ... must be an arguable statement about which watchers of the film could disagree with.

2. ... must be a clear statement of your entire argument, not just a part of it.

3. ... should be 1-2 sentences long, and should appear at the end or near the end of the introduction.

4. ... should NOT include the first or second person (I, we, us, you, etc.)

5. ... should NOT contain evidence, quotations, or specific examples. Evidence and specific examples should be saved for the body of the paper.

Thesis statement checklist

Check the list on the right to see if your thesis statement matches.

Outline

Goal: 

You understand what an outline is and what you must write in an outline. 

You are able to fill in the outline sheet (given in class) to use during the assignment.

What do you
put in an outline?

Content of an outline

- Write down the subject of each paragraph, state your argument; a similarity, difference, a bit of history, ...

- Include one or two examples of the films

Exercise

Put together your outline. Use the hand-out that has been handed out to you. 

You are allowed to use this outline during the final assignment. 

Work individually and quietly.

You understand what an outline is and what you must write in an outline.

0100

Final things to consider...

1. Avoid using personal pronouns: I/we/you/us/me. She/he/it/they/them are allowed.

2. Use synonyms for words you often use. Check out thesaurus.com

3. Always do a spelling and grammar check before you hand in your essay.