English 210
Response Paper
Spring 2008

For this assignment, you will compare (contrast) elements from the story “Three-Ten to Yuma” by Elmore Leonard to elements in the 2007 film 3:10 to Yuma.  Your paper should be three to five pages long, word processed in a 12 or 14 point normal font; this paper is informal (in that it is not formally documented).  

The Assignment

For this paper, you will use the story as the point of comparison (the foundation for comparison).  You will need to clearly identify at least two points you will discuss for this paper.  You have a number of different choices to make.  Use the class notes and your Elements of the Short Story handout to determine ideas you wish to discuss.  Some possibilities include:

        character(s) (characterization)  If you choose a character, you can consider character development, behaviors, motivation for action…  

        setting (especially the landscape and other components of setting which might be similar or different)

       conflict (person v. person, person v. self, and components of physical, moral, and psychological conflict—you won’t do them all…)

        plot (story) development (the story begins in Contention and most of it takes place in the hotel there; the film starts very differently and has some qualities         which differ greatly from the story, the ending, for example)

       point of view (We know the most about Scallen in the story—it is his story more than it is Jim Kidd’s; is the film Dan’s story?)

       theme(s)  The themes in the story are somewhat different from those in the film.

       irony (situational irony, especially—a character does one thing when another thing is expected)

       style (dialogue, tone, vocabulary)

These are typical elements to examine, though you might find others to discuss.  You have some freedom of choice, but the paper should make sense and should be accurate.  

You will need to be sure to include clear examples for support.  You should use specifics from the story and the film to develop your ideas.  For instance, if you look at the character of Charlie Prince,  you will need to explain what he like in the story, then explain what he is like in the film—you’ll do this by giving examples:

One character which is represented differently in the story and the film is Charlie Prince.  In the story, he is….   This is shown early in the story when…      However, he is that and more in the film.  For example, he proves himself a ruthless killer.  In one scene in the film, he…  In another scene, he…

Organizing the Paper

Introduction

    Information about the story/film:  Give the title, author, and publication date of the story.  Also include the title of the film and year it was published.

    Present a brief summary of the plot of the story (a few sentences).  (The story is your basis for comparison; there is no need to present a summary of the film.)

    Include a clear thesis statement which explains the purpose of the paper.  You can also name the points you will discuss. (Which elements will you focus on for the paper?).

Sample Thesis Statement:  

This paper will compare two elements found in the both the story and the film. The two elements I have chosen are theme and characterization.


Discussion Sections  (at least two points)

For each discussion section you will focus on one of the elements you are comparing.

    Topic Sentence:  Names the element.


    Discussion:  examples of how the element is handled in the story; examples of how the element is handled in the film.  Each discussion section can be multiple paragraphs.  (Paragraphing helps your reader follow your ideas more easily.)


    Point Summary:  usually a sentence or two which effectively ends each point and lets you easily move to the next part of the paper


Conclusion

After having read the story, watched the film and written the paper, evaluate the story and the film.  Which is better at depicting the elements you discussed, for example?  Or, are they so different it is difficult to decide which one is better overall?  Is one better than the other in some areas?  This goes beyond “I like it” or “I don’t like it” into some evaluation based on your reading, watching, and writing experiences.

Evaluation Criteria

1.      Is the paper well developed?  

    Are the two or three elements clearly identified?  

    Are there detailed examples which support your position about the     elements you’ve chosen to evaluate?  

    Is the story the foundation for each point?

    Have you effectively incorporated examples from the film to show     comparison (contrast)?  

     Is your own analysis, interpretation, or explanation in place and logical?

2.      Is the paper clearly organized?  

    Are there definitive sections—introduction, discussion sections, a     conclusion?  

    Is the paper organized from section to section and within sections so that     an academic reader can easily follow the points?

3.    Does the paper demonstrate control of written text including

        --clear, complete sentences?

        --appropriate word choice and word usage?

        --few, if any, spelling problems?

        --few, if any, punctuation, capitalization, or mechanical problems?

4.      Did you come to class each day of the preparation (discussion, film,     other)?
     
    Did you turn the paper in on time?

Schedule

Thursday, February 7th:  Continue the film.

Tuesday, February 12:  Finish the film and discuss the paper if needed.

Thursday, February 14:  Work on the paper outside of class—it has to be word processed, remember.

Tuesday, February 19:  Paper is due by 3:00 (no formal class meeting).  Bring it to my office in Humanities (O.A. Grant Building) 338.  I will either be there or there will be a box outside the door for you.  We’ll resume class as usual on Thursday, the 21st—read “A Good Man is Hard to Find…”