5 Body Paragraphs Too Much?

[TheFedExpress]

Hi everyone,

I am preparing my final for my final SAC of the year, a Text Response to "On the Waterfront" regarding cinematic techniques. 

I have planned out basically what i want to write, however I have 5 main points (1 challenging the essay topic, 4 techniques)

I feel this is too many and will probably have to out one technique, but before i do so, i thought i would throw it on here to see what you guys think?

I only have one, 80 minute session to write it. In the exam I will definitely go with 4, but for my SAC do you think 5 is too many?

Cheers

[charmanderp]

It depends on how long your essay is, I think. Although it sounds fine to me, I normally have 5 or 6 (albeit in rather long essays).

[TheFedExpress]

It depends on how long your essay is, I think. Although it sounds fine to me, I normally have 5 or 6 (albeit in rather long essays).

Ok cool, thanks. Just quickly, can you say Marlon Brando's portrayal of Terry Malloy is a cinematic technique?

[Yendall]

Five isn't too many as long as you don't diverge from the prompt. If you can present a steady portfolio of ideas without rambling, then you could successfully do it. However, from personal experience, anything more than 4 paragraphs tends to lead to divergence. I believe you can successfully convey your idea in four paragraphs maximum.
Also, the On The Waterfront sac is recommended to be between 600 - 800 words. If you split it evenly to try and reach 800 - 1000 words, then each paragraph will be around 200 words, which isn't enough to convey an argument; in my opinion of course. In 80 minutes if you can write five 300 - 400 word paragraphs successfully and end up with around 2000 words, then props to you sir.

[Felicity Wishes]

It depends on how long your essay is, I think. Although it sounds fine to me, I normally have 5 or 6 (albeit in rather long essays).

Ok cool, thanks. Just quickly, can you say Marlon Brando's portrayal of Terry Malloy is a cinematic technique?

Yes. You should talk about how he portrays Terry. With his method acting and what not.

[charmanderp]

Acting is very much a cinematic technique/production element.