Christina Isabelli-García, PhD
Illinois Wesleyan University Department of Hispanic Studies
Conversation and Composition - Spanish 203
Communicative Functions:
•Description
(ser/estar, agreement)
•Comparisons
• React & Recommend
La Ciudad. Filmed over the course of several years using nonprofessional actors - actual immigrants from places including Mexico, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica - The City offers an unprecedented look at the daily lives of the millions of recent immigrants who are virtually ignored in American society. The film has four separate stories, each with a general theme:
Bricks tells the story of day
laborers and their daily struggle to survive. It portrays one of the
most exploited groups of immigrants and can be a great opportunity for
discussing why some people must subject themselves to such harrowing
working conditions.
The Puppeteer tells the story of a homeless father and daughter. The father is unable to enroll the daughter in school because they lack an address and the necessary documents. You may can discuss the many hardships that come with having no home.
Home is about two young people from the same Mexican village who meet and fall in love, only to lose each other in the immensity of the city. This segment can lead to a discussion on the alienation and cultural shock one experiences when arriving in a new land.
Seamstress portrays a group of garment factory workers, mostly women, who have not been paid for a month. When one of the seamstresses needs to send money back home for a sick daughter, the factory owners refuse to pay her. This story gives you an opportunity to discuss the special difficulties faced by women immigrants, as well as the power of "sticking together."
The Puppeteer tells the story of a homeless father and daughter. The father is unable to enroll the daughter in school because they lack an address and the necessary documents. You may can discuss the many hardships that come with having no home.
Home is about two young people from the same Mexican village who meet and fall in love, only to lose each other in the immensity of the city. This segment can lead to a discussion on the alienation and cultural shock one experiences when arriving in a new land.
Seamstress portrays a group of garment factory workers, mostly women, who have not been paid for a month. When one of the seamstresses needs to send money back home for a sick daughter, the factory owners refuse to pay her. This story gives you an opportunity to discuss the special difficulties faced by women immigrants, as well as the power of "sticking together."
2) After seeing La Ciudad think about points that you can describe, compare, and then react and recommend.
First paragraph
3) Check sheet for essay• Does your first paragraph have an introduction? Can the reader understand what you're writing about without seeing the film? (use the film's title.)
• Does the last sentence of your first paragraph state the main focus of your essay? You'll have to backup that focus with details in the body of the essay. The last sentence should complete this sentence. [In this essay, I will talk about]... The elements in brackets ARE NOT included in your main idea.
• Does your essay have specific details from the film that support the theme of your essay?• Does your essay have a conclusion that gives the reader the overall or general reaction you have toward the film?
_____ Include on one line on top left of the page, your name and assignment name (ensayo #2).
_____ Type using Times New Roman, 12 point font, double-space, 1” margins.
_____ 1 page in lenght, type accents (not handwritten), typed tildes (not handwritten), and correct punctuation.
_____ Incorporate a title and divided into paragraphs
_____ Bold main idea.
_____ Underline 10 new vocabulary dealing with description (Cap 1 &2) (this may include a comparison) and include 1 reaction and 1 recommendation (Cap 2).
4) If you need help, please
see me or the tutor for help on content with your essay. She will
only
guide you, don't expect her to catch all your
errors. She's
available
Mondays and Thursdays 9-12pm. To see me, please email me.