CONTEXT 

  

  

Students will view Black Panther and engage with a range of other texts to develop an understanding of different representations of superheroes.  They will develop an understanding of the choices made by authors to create representations of ideas, people and issues. 

  

TASK 

  

  

You are to write an analytical essay which will examine the impact of texts that challenge traditional representations of superheroes. You must respond to the following question: 

  

How are traditional representations of superhero movies manipulated to appeal to a modern audience in Black Panther? 

  

  

Students will develop their arguments and support these with relevant evidence from the film and other texts.    

  

  

SCAFFOLD 

  

  

You will: 

Develop an angle/interpretation and plan supporting arguments to justify your chosen response 

Select specific evidence from the film 

Evaluate how representations of super heroes are challenged  

Analyse film conventions including cinematography, mis en scene, sound and costume 

Demonstrate analysis of language elements such as characterisation, isiXhosa language and dialogue 

Select and apply language conventions of an analytical essay 

Edit for effect to improve your spelling, punctuation and vocabulary choices of your piece 

  

CONDITIONS 

  

  

Word Limit: 500 –700 words 

Written under exam conditions over three lessons 

Seen task:  Task sheet to be handed out one week prior to the exam  

No draft is to be marked 

Minimal verbal feedback only on 1 plan once the task is distributed 

100 words of notes allowed. To be checked and signed by teacher before day of exam.  

  

Year 9 English Task 4 – Analytical Essay 

A 

discerning analysis of the ways film structures (plot, cinematography, mis en scene, sound) can be manipulated for effect 

discerning analysis and explanation of how vocabulary choices and language features (characterisation, dialogue) distinguish the work of the director 

discerning evaluation and integration of ideas and information from texts to form interpretations (themes and selection of evidence to answer task)  

discerning use of a variety of analytical language features to create an analytical essay 

purposeful use of accurate spelling and purposeful use of grammar and punctuation 

Text structure 
(for coherent and cohesive texts) 

Introduction (approx.  100-150 words) Introduce the topic, author and text, and your essay’s purpose 

Overview:  Introduce overall topic of superhero movies and traditional representation. 

Do these representations reflect, or appeal, to today’s modern audiences?  

Historical and social context: Inform your reader of necessary information about Black Panther (publication date, brief storyline movements that were occurring at the time of release, film’s success) 

Thesis: Outline your argument by restructuring the essay question as a statement.  

Preview/Roadmap: State the 3 topics of your paragraphs. Remember to introduce your arguments in the order that they will be discussed in your essay.  

Textual features 
(for analysis and evaluation) 

The movie’s title should be underlined and each word capitalised e.g. ‘Black Panther’  

Use third-person pronouns (don’t use I, me, my, or we)  

Write using complex and compound sentences (instead of simple), combining short related sentences to improve flow and complexity of thought. 

TEEL Paragraph 1 (approx. 150-200 words) 

Topic sentence  

Introduce the paragraph topic: e.g. Black Panther effectively manipulates the traditional representation of …… to appeal to a modern audience through the use of…. 

Example 1:  

Provide evidence: 

This is evident when… 

An example of… 

As illustrated by… 

  

Explanation 1: Explain how this manipulates traditional representations in superhero movies 

Example 2: Structure  

Provide evidence: 

This is evident when… 

An example of… 

As illustrated by… 

  

Explanation 2: Explain how this manipulates traditional representations in superhero movies 

Linking sentence  

Summarise your argument e.g. Through the use of…. Black Panther effectively manipulates the traditional representation of  

TEEL Paragraph 2 (approx. 150-200 words) 

Topic sentence  

Introduce the paragraph topic: e.g. Black Panther effectively manipulates the traditional representation of …… to appeal to a modern audience through the use of…. 

Example 1:  

Provide evidence: 

This is evident when… 

An example of… 

As illustrated by… 

  

Explanation 1: Explain how this manipulates traditional representations in superhero movies 

Example 2:  

Provide evidence: 

This is evident when… 

An example of… 

As illustrated by… 

  

Explanation 2: Explain how this manipulates traditional representations in superhero movies 

Linking sentence  

Summarise your argument e.g. Through the use of…. Black Panther effectively manipulates the traditional representation of  

Stay in present tense throughout 

Use quotations to support analysis, and punctuate with double quote marks 

Make formal word choices, rather than using everyday or simple language (e.g. sombre rather than sad; convinces rather than makes) 

Use specialised/ technical vocabulary when referring to sections of film 

Use relating verbs to indicate the relationship between literary devices and explanations and meanings (e.g. ‘symbolises’, ‘enhances’, ‘represents’, ‘demonstrates’, ‘suggests’) *See full list below. 

  

Use evaluative language to convey the film’s effectiveness challenging traditional representations of superheroes  

TEEL Paragraph 3 (approx. 150-200 words)  

Topic sentence  

Introduce the paragraph topic: e.g. Black Panther effectively manipulates the traditional representation of …… to appeal to a modern audience through the use of…. 

Example 1:  

Provide evidence: 

This is evident when… 

An example of… 

As illustrated by… 

  

Explanation 1: Explain how this manipulates traditional representations in superhero movies 

Example 2:  

Provide evidence: 

This is evident when… 

An example of… 

As illustrated by… 

Explanation 2: Explain how this manipulates traditional representations in superhero movies 

Linking sentence  

Summarise your argument e.g. Through the use of…. Black Panther effectively manipulates the traditional representation of  

Conclusion (approx. 100 words) Summarise your essay’s arguments and purpose 

Restate your thesis  

Summarise your argument: Describe how effectively traditional representations are manipulated to appeal to a modern audience in Black Panther. 

Sum up your point of view and leave the audience with an emphatic statement or quote as a final thought 

Avoid using ‘In conclusion’ 

Use the language from your summarising linking sentences to increase the depth