The student examines *The Shawshank Redemption* by exploring cinematic techniques in relation to themes that challenge stereotypes about prison, making the topic appropriate for the subject of the essay. The student poses a clear and focused research question regarding how director Frank Darabont uses these techniques, which is stated properly as a question. However, the research question is not presented in the introduction, and the reasoning behind its choice lacks sufficient justification. Despite these shortcomings, the student articulates the purpose of the research question and effectively relates it to existing knowledge, while also discussing how the analysis will be conducted. The essay incorporates various sources, although one is noted as lacking academic rigor, yet the overall references sufficiently support the arguments and conclusions drawn.
