Whoever writes this paper… choose a movie you’d enjoy writing about to make your life a little easier. Thanks!

In your paper, do not summarize the plot. It should not look like the Viewer Guides. Please focus on the music. Here are some possible approaches:

A narrative approach allows you to talk about the film as it unfolds and analyze the music as it appears in the film. This is the easiest approach and also the least interesting. Still, a good paper that focuses on music can achieve an A grade.

You can choose some of the basic qualities of film music (see Chapter 4) and treat one or more separately. This places the emphasis on music more than in the narrative approach.

Taking a point of view is the most challenging, thoughtful approach. It is especially recommended as a practice for those going to graduate schools. Decide on a point of view about the music in the film and support your view in a logical manner that does not depend on the narrative or the mechanical listing of musical characteristics. Possible subjects: the role of source music in a film; how does music reflects changes in a character or situation; how does music supports the theme or message of a film.