Whether your topic is formal or contextual, your essay needs to be shaped into a precise interpretation and argument.

The interpretation is your explanation of what the film or a part of it means. The argument consists of your presentation of evidence from the film—concrete details that convince readers of your point of view—and then your analysis of that evidence.

Perhaps the most important element in a good analytical essay is the thesis statement, a short statement (often a single sentence) that succinctly describes the interpretation and argument, and anticipates each stage of the argument.

Although not all writers use an outline, it can be a very helpful blueprint for the essay, allowing the writer to see and examine the different parts of the whole argument. Whether or not you work from an outline, a clear organization and structure—most notably, coherent paragraphs introduced and linked by topic sentences—are paramount for an effective essay.