Movie Research Assignment

Movie Review Assignment Sheet:

Choose a movie that deals with the topics we have covered in class.  In other words American History up to 1865.

Example movies include; Glory, Lincoln, 12 Years a Slave, Dances with Wolves, Gone with the Wind, 1492, The Crucible, The Crossing, Amistad, Gettysburg, and so many more

Overview: History is a craft and writing is the craft of the historian. It is the medium that any historian must use to disseminate interpretations of the past to the public and fellow historians. In many ways the historian is much like a detective; gathering and evaluating evidence, forming hypothesis and drawing conclusions in order to find out who done it. History is not memorizing facts, dates and people; it is how the historian analyzes and interprets information.   Film is history, it is a primary source that can be analyzed and interpreted.

Description: A film analysis is not a review or summary of the plot, it should go deeper into analysis and reaction. It should discuss the issues raised by the film, address the film’s importance and purpose, state reactions to the content and quality of the film, and connect it to ideas and material presented in class. It should be a minimum of 4 pages and include the following (in any order you choose).

 THE ASSINGMENT

• Describe the film in general terms. What subjects does it cover? Describe the plot and setting. What issues does it raise? What do you see as the main purpose of the film?
• What are the major theme(s) of the film?
• Evaluate the film for quality and interest. Comment on the screenplay, acting, direction, production values and music. Are any literary techniques such as symbolism, character development and foreshadowing used? Would a young person be interested in this film?
• Relate the film to class discussions, readings, notes or knowledge. Is the film historically (or factually) accurate and realistic? Does it contradict or support anything you have learned?
• Summarize briefly emphasizing the strengths and weaknesses of the film.

FORMAT:

• All papers must have a title page, be typed, double spaced with a 12 pt. font.
• All pages must have appropriately sized 1" margins.
• All papers must contain information detailed in the ASSINGMENT section of these guidelines.

*Remember that sections should be several paragraphs or more and that you should fully answer and analyze the five points in the body of your paper.

Movie Review Assignment Sheet: Analysis Grading Sheet

Introduction:

5 – Demonstrates an excellent understanding of the assignment. It has an engaging introductory sentence, context, raises excellent questions and has a strong thesis.

4 – Demonstrates a thorough understanding of the assignment. It has a good introductory sentence, some context, raises some excellent questions and has a good thesis.

3 - Demonstrates an good understanding of the assignment. It has an good introductory sentence, limited context, raises some questions and has a competent thesis.

2 - Demonstrates an understanding of the assignment. It has an introductory sentence, context, raises some questions and has a thesis.

1 - Demonstrates a less than competent understanding of the assignment. It has little or no introductory sentence, context, or questions. The paper may lack a thesis statement.

Body:

5 – Demonstrates an excellent understanding of the assignment. All questions are answered fully with in depth analysis and interpretation. The answers are accurate and the writing is articulate and sophisticated. The facts are vivid, explicit, effective and multiple. There are few grammatical mistakes and overall the paper is well written.

4 – Demonstrates a thorough understanding of the assignment. All questions are answered fully with analysis and interpretation. The answers are accurate and the writing is articulate and sophisticated. The facts are vivid, explicit, effective. There are some grammatical mistakes and overall the paper is well written.

3 - Demonstrates an good understanding of the assignment. Most questions are answered with in analysis and interpretation. The answers are fairly accurate and the writing is articulate. There are a few facts. There grammatical mistakes and overall the paper is acceptable.

2 - Demonstrates an understanding of the assignment. Most questions are answered fully with some analysis and interpretation. The answers are somewhat accurate and the writing is standard. There are few facts. There are many grammatical mistakes and overall the paper is poorly organized and written.

1 - Demonstrates a less than competent understanding of the assignment. It has little or no analysis. The paper may lack answers and the writing is poor. Limited facts and multiple grammatical error. Organization is poor and over quality is not present.

Conclusions:

5 – Demonstrates an excellent understanding of the assignment. It has an engaging conclusion that summarizes the evidence and connects to the thesis and body.

4 - Demonstrates an thorough understanding of the assignment. It has a good conclusion that summarizes the evidence and connects to the thesis and body

3 - Demonstrates an good understanding of the assignment. It has a conclusion which restates the introduction and summarizes the evidence somewhat.

2 - Demonstrates an understanding of the assignment. It has a standard conclusion that summarizes somewhat and is poorly written.

1 - Demonstrates a less than competent understanding of the assignment. It has little or no conclusion.