Red Dog Text Response Essay

Essay Topic: “Somebody who is just like all of us; men and women who understand the meaning of independence, and the importance of a generous heart… And I say that somebody, damn it, is a dog!” Why is Red Dog important to the community of Dampier?

First: Read the topic carefully, identify key terms and make sure you understand all aspects of the topic.

Second: Identify key parts of the text which may be relevant to the topic (What characters, scenes, events, etc) and gather quotes.

Third: Plan your essay thoroughly (What will be your overall contention? What will be the focus of each paragraph? What will be each paragraph’s argument? What evidence will you use?). Remember that this is not about whether you liked the film or not.

Finally: Write your essay, taking care with your writing and using your plan to guide and develop your response. Remember to proofread and edit your final copy carefully before submitting.

Final Checklist – have you remembered:

 You must have an introduction, at least three body paragraphs, and a conclusion.  You must use TEEL to structure your paragraphs.  All quotes must be incorporated/blended into your own sentences, and there must be at least one quote per paragraph.  You must write in the third person.  You must use full words – NO CONTRACTIONS!  You must italicise the title of the film Red Dog, capitalising both words. When needed, refer to the ‘director’ (Kriv Stenders), not the ‘author’.  You must proofread your work before submitting and catch any spelling mistakes, typos, etc.

Sample Essay Paragraphs on this Topic

Sample Introduction:

In the film Red Dog, Kriv Stenders explores how a group of independent and isolated miners are forged into a community by a smelly but lovable kelpie. Set in the remote Pilbara region of Western Australia, the inhabitants need a companion with whom they can share their feelings of loneliness and provide them with a sense of purpose. It is only through their friendship with Red Dog that the characters learn to love and trust again, form meaningful relationships and bond together.

Sample Body Paragraph:

Red Dog’s independent nature is appealing to the miners because of their different backgrounds and their lack of shared connections. Just as Red Dog hitches a ride into Dampier, the miners come from all around the world, and lack a common culture or sense of belonging. At the beginning of the film, the Hamersley Iron Mining community is little more than a group of homesick men. Red Dog “was an excellent listener” with whom the miners could share their worries and stories. He became “a doggie for all” but “no one in particular”, as he respected and helped all the miners equally. Red Dog initially became valued by the community for these listening skills and the comfort he brought these otherwise lonely men.

Sample Conclusion:

Red Dog is important to the community of Dampier because he is just like all of its members. He reflects their independence, a shared life that has emerged despite a vast number of different backgrounds, the free spirit and wanderer in all their natures, and the capacity for companionship, loyalty and love. He shows us that there is more to this community than a “bunch of dirty miners”; that beneath their dusty exterior, they are a community, and a dog, “who are loyal by nature, not design…[and] know the meaning of love and loss”.

How else is Red Dog important to the community of Dampier?

Independence:

 Like the miners themselves, Red Dog is independent, not tied down to one place or person (at least initially).  Red Dog is a wanderer, seeking help from others and providing help and companionship in return, but never becoming tied down (for example when he hitch-hikes rides around the Pilbara).

Love:

 Red Dog brings people together (John and Nancy, Vanno and his Wife, Nancy and Tom)  Red Dog bonds the community together (they realise their strength when they confront the Cribbages, and they bond together in around Red Dog’s deathbed and during the celebration of his life)

Companionship:

 Red Dog remains extremely loyal to John, to the point of being jealous.  Red Dog shows the importance of companionship and the need to look out for each other when he saves Jocko from Lord Nelson, and makes him realise that life really was worth living.

Loyalty:

 Red Dog shows tremendous loyalty during his search for his dead master.  Red Dog heals rifts between old enemies, such as when he becomes “mates” with Red Cat.

USE THIS SPACE TO BEGIN PLANNING YOUR RESPONSE Overall contention (your response to the essay topic):

First Paragraph

Focus/Argument:

Evidence:

Second Paragraph

Focus/Argument:

Evidence:

Third Paragraph

Focus/Argument:

Evidence: