Law Question

Learning Goal: I’m working on a law writing question and need an explanation and answer to help me learn.

Assignment

In this assignment, you are asked to write a review of a documentary film. This film is entitled “Flint’s Deadly Water.” The link necessary to view the film can be found below. This a current issue and a very tragic one. Since 2014, the water quality coming into the homes and businesses in Flint Michigan has been exceedingly unhealthy to the extent that many people, including children, have become very ill. The issue has not been fully resolved to this day. The documentary film traces the origins and consequences of this problem and calls into serious question the governmental officials who attempted to ignore the issue and to cover up their inappropriate and ineffective response. This situation was clearly a failure of government.

Please adhere to the following guidelines in writing your movie review:

1. Title: The title of your review should directly and accurately inform the reader what film you are reviewing.
2. Introduction: It is important to attract the attention of the reader. The introductory paragraph should briefly summarize the film in two or three sentences. Indicate the main characters and the Film’s director. This film was produced by Frontline — a major producer of documentary films. Also, mention the reporters who greatly helped to investigate the problems in Flint and appear in the film. Finally, the last couple of sentences of your introductory paragraph should comprise your thesis statement. This is your critical message and the points you would like your reader to remember. During the review, you will attempt to explain and support your thesis statement.
3. Body of Review: In the body of your review, include a description of the film and your critical analysis. In order to give the reader a clear understanding of the film, use direct quotes (but not too many) and refer to specific scenes that are meaningful and impactful. Your goal is to entice the reader to view the film. There is no need to attempt to relate every detail of the film. This could get boring and not serve your interest. Select major elements that have importance and significance to you and that you would like to pursue in your critical analysis. Any critical commentary or argument you make about the film should be supported by evidence from the film (quotes, specific scenes, and information about the director’s purpose and interest in making this film. When you bolster your arguments and analysis with evidence, you establish credibility with your readers. Finally, relate your analysis back to your thesis statement. This will help the reader to see the logic and consistency of your arguments. Also, write in short paragraphs whereby you express one key idea per paragraph.

To maintain the interest of your readers, appealing to their sense of logic can be useful, but sometimes an emotional appeal can be effective. For example, it is sometimes effective to provide emotional details of an account to give readers a reason to empathize with the subjects of the film.

1. Conclusion: It is not necessary to summarize what you wrote in the body of the review. It is important to restate your thesis and main argument. Here is the time to make you review unforgettable for your readers. Include a memorable quote or scene from the film. You can anticipate what is likely to be the next chapter in this documentary. In the documentary, Flint’s Deadly Water, there are many possible future paths. Identify the likely one or two paths.

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Length of Review

The length of your documentary review should be about 400 to 500 words.

Background Materials

There is a Page in this module that contains a short PowerPoint that summarizes the Flint Water Crisis. It is just another shorter rendition of the crisis explained in the film.

Another Page contains some information about what occurred in Flint regarding criminal indictments of several officials as a result of their role in the water crisis. These indictments occurred in January 2021.