Study Guide for The Buried Mirror (El Espejo Enterrado) ENGLISH EDITION

This Study Guide is the companion to the English language version of the 5-DVD video series THE BURIED MIRROR, written and narrated by the famous Mexican writer and social commentator, Carlos Fuentes.

This Study Guide uses the English narrative of THE BURIED MIRROR video series (Carlos Fuentes), to give students practice in writing clearly and effectively. Most activities involve replies which test student comprehension as well. A reply thus requires understanding the question and the reference in the film narrative. Some activities may need only a sentence or two for an adequate reply. Others will specifically ask students to write a paragraph. All activities will test student ability to write sentences employing correct grammar.

This guide emphasizes narrative writing: how to write effective sentences, paragraphs and even entire essays. Each program begins with a writing emphasis on a specific topic:

Program 1: Writing Effective Sentences

Program 2: Boldness and Creativity in Developing Effective Sentences

Program 3: Writing Entire Paragraphs

Program 4: Writing an Entire Essay

Program 5: Writing Summaries

Since all activities derive from Fuentes film series on Hispanic culture and history, students will benefit from film (and transcript) content as they develop written answers for these activities.

Alternately, instructors of Hispanic Culture and Civilization will find that the film series, transcript and Study Guide provide excellent source material for teaching about Spain and Latin America. Students with limited (or no) knowledge of the Spanish language will thus have access to the unique content of THE BURIED MIRROR.

Finally, because the film series ends its coverage in 1992 and many important changes have taken place since then, a special section will provide a guide to students to write their own summary of that period, both for Spain and Latin America.