PHLA Documentary Viewer’s Guide
Read the questions before you watch the film so that you will know what to look for while you watch. At breaks during the showing or at the film’s end, you will have an opportunity to make short notes in the spaces provided. If you make notes while the film is playing, make sure that your note taking doesn’t interfere with carefully watching the movie. You do not need to make any notes on the worksheet, but after the film is over, you will be required to fully respond to the questions.
Complete the assignment by answering each question in paragraph form. Answers need to be complete and comprehensive, demonstrating that you paid attention to the film and thought about what was shown on the screen. You may use more than one paragraph if necessary. Be sure that the topic sentence of your first paragraph uses key words from the question. All responses should be in complete sentences using proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Number your responses, but it is not necessary to include each question.
1. State the title of the film/documentary and the year it was released. Identify the topic and the central claim or position that it advocates.
Notes: ________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
2. Provide a brief synopsis or summary of the film: how it begins, what stages it passes through, and how it concludes.
Notes: ________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
3. List three facts described in the film that impressed you and explain how each fact relates to the film’s premise or theme.
Notes: ________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
4. What evidence did the filmmakers present to try to convince you of the position that the film supports? Look for appeals to logic, emotion, and prejudice.
Notes: ________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
5. Did any of the reasoning given in support of the position advocated by the film seem to be weak or misleading? If so, describe the concept put forward in the film and why you thought the reasoning was flawed.
Notes: ________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
6. Describe any particular scene or images, in the film designed to appeal to the viewer’s emotions and to encourage the viewer to agree with the position advocated by the film, without reliance upon fact or logical argument.
Notes: ________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
8. Did the film change your thinking about any aspect of the issue? Why or Why not? What information, argument or persuasive technique caused you to change your mind?
Notes: ________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________