This document provides guidance on how to respond to an analytical question about a film by outlining the key components of an effective essay structure. It discusses writing an introduction that includes the film title, director, and thesis statement. It explains that body paragraphs should have a topic sentence, explanation, evidence from the film including discussion of film techniques, and link to the next point. The conclusion restates the thesis in new words and summarizes the main ideas. An example body paragraph is provided analyzing a scene from Storm Boy to illustrate the strong friendship between the main character and his pelicans through the film techniques used.

1. Responding to an
Analytical
Question
Week 4 - 8 English

2. Learning Intention:
• We are learning how to respond to an analytical
question.
• I can:
- look at a question and explain what it is asking of me.
- write a thesis statement in response to the question
- Write an introduction based on the analytical question
Success Criteria:

3. Review
What are they?
T
E
E
E
L

4. Thesis
A Thesis statement tells your audience what your opinion is and
what your essay is going to be talking about.
It should provide your audience with what your main pieces of
evidence is that you will be discussing.
How to Write a Thesis Statement - YouTube

5. Formula for writing a thesis
• Topic + your opinion + your three reasons/evidence
you will refer to
Example Question:
Explain how Shawn Sheet, the director of the film Storm
Boy used film techniques to illustrate strong friendships.
Thesis:
Shawn Sheet, director of Storm Boy effectively used film
techniques to illustrate the strong friendship between
Storm Boy, his pelicans and Fingerbone Bill.

6. Analytical Essay Structure
Part of the
Essay
What to include:
Introduction o State the title of the text (film), the directors name and when it was
created.
o Provide background about the film
o State your thesis statement
Body/s o T - Topic sentence answering essay question
o E - Explain in more detail your response
o E - Evidence from the film, discuss film techniques
o E - Elaborate further about how the film techniques help answer
your thesis statement
o L - Link to topic sentence or to next body paragraph
Conclusion o Restate your thesis in new words
o Summarise your main ideas

7. Introduction
• State the title of the text (film), the directors
name and when it was created.
• Provide background about the film
• State your thesis statement
The Storm Boy (2019), directed by Shawn Sheet
used many different film techniques to create
meaning. Storm Boy tells the story of a young
boy living on the coast of South Australia who
befriends a group of pelicans and learns valuable
lessons about life, friendship, and the
environment. Throughout the film, many film
techniques were used to depict the strong
friendship between the protagonist Michael, his
pelicans and other characters. This film is
effective in using film techniques to illustrate
friendship because it demonstrates a strong
bond between Michael and his pelicans, Michael
and Fingerbone Bill.

8. Writing a Body Paragraph
• This is when you go into more detail,
discussing your first point in your
thesis.
• You need to ensure you have analyzed
a scene from the film, identifying the
film techniques and the impact this has
on the scene.
• E.g.:
Thesis: This film is effective in using
film techniques to illustrate friendship
because it demonstrates a strong bond
between Michael and his pelicans,
Michael and Fingerbone Bill.

9. Essay Question: Explain how the director used film techniques
to illustrate the strong relationship between Michael and his
Pelicans.
T - Strong friendships were seen throughout the film between Michael and his
Pelicans.
E - The strong bond between these characters was clearly seen in the scene when
Michael’s dad, Hideaway Tom told him he needed to release his pelicans back into
the wild.
E - During this scene, Sheet used the film technique of a close up shot of Michael
crying holding onto Mr. Percival and transitioning to lowkey lighting when
Hideaway Tom is explaining to Michael that they need to be released.
E - By using a close up shot, the audience can see how strong
Michael’s relationship is with his pelicans. The use of lowkey lighting emphasizes to
the audience how upsetting this conversation is for Michael.
L - The use of these film techniques, clearly demonstrates the strong friendship
that Michael has with his Pelicans.
Think: What
scenes from
the film help
illustrate this
strong bond?
Storm Boy (2019) | Movie Clip HD | Geoffrey
Rush | Australia | Drama Movie - YouTube