HOW TO EXPAND YOUR
THEME DISCUSSION
Begin by brainstorming so that you have several ideas to write about. This is several themes or several aspects of the same theme. |
Next, write a sentence that lists the ideas, preferably in the order that you want to explore the ideas further.Listing offers the reader an opportunity to visualise several points that you want to get across. |
In the sentences following your list, add more detail, further explaining each point that you initially included in your writing. |
EXAMPLE OF THEMES DISCUSSION BASED ON THE FILM DISTRICT 9
Oppression is prolonged unjust treatment or abuse of authority. It is different from aggression which might be short-lived abuse of authority. In the film District 9, we see both ideas presented. The aliens have suffered oppression because the humans have; detained them against their will, imposed rules upon them by, labelled them using racist terms and "aborting" alien young.
In the opening shots of the film, a documentary-style presentation informs the audience of the history surrounding the area known as District 9. The dirt and squalor of the slum is immediately obvious as various long shots show the disgusting place where the aliens live. In reality, the Director Neill Blomkamp gained access to film in a location that had only recently been vacated by South African Blacks. The disgust that the audience feels for the alien surroundings, should be translated to a disgust in the authorities who allowed a situation to develop in which real people had to live in such poverty. The audience are also shown long shots of signage around District 9 that shows there are designated areas where aliens are not permitted. Furthermore, aliens are frequently called by the derogatory term "prawns" to echo the racist terminology used by many oppressors worldwide. The scene that most succinctly encapsulates the extent of the alien oppression is when we observe Wikus in a joking manner, casually 'popping' the alien baby farm and laughing as he offers for one of his staff "to commit their first alien abortion". This illustrates Wikus' complete disregard for the rights of others, in this case, the aliens as he even thinks it is funny. Oppression, and especially such an extreme level of oppression is often accompanied by violence and aggression. In this film, aggression is shown; Koobos Venter towards Wikus, by the aliens towards humans, by Nigerians towards anybody that gets in their way and by MNU staff towards Wikus when they realise that he is the key to solving the alien weaponry problem. Early in the film when Wikus is shown talking excitedly in a close up shot as he will be leading a group into District 9. A foot soldier alerts Koobos Venter about Wikus' politically correct attitude and Wikus is subject to a moment of extreme aggression as Koobos thrusts him to the ground. The attack is sudden and unexpectedly aggressive and the audience is as shocked as Wikus. Then as Wikus is making his way through District 9 evicting aliens, one reacts badly and hurls Wikus to one side in an act of aggression. The aliens have perhaps learned this aggressive behaviour from the humans. Many scenes show violence and blood in District 9, especially those involving the Nigerians. The director shocks the audience with the episodes of violence as they appear soon after a quieter or more touching moment in the film. Humanity is shown at its worst as the greed that drives MNU culminates in a scientist forcing Wikus to shoot an alien against his will. At this point, the audience recognises that Wikus' transition to becoming an alien is almost complete because the scientist's aggression becomes Wikus' oppression. Wikus is at this point no longer human in the eyes of the aggressive oppressor. |
Introduction to concepts
listing of 3 examples: Eg. detained, imposed rules and labelled expansion of examples including film techniques and details linking sentence between concepts listing of examples expansion of examples |