Description
ESSAY PROJECT: MOVIE REVIEW
CORE STANDARDS
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.11-12.1
Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.11-12.1.B
Develop claim(s) and counterclaims fairly and thoroughly, supplying the most relevant evidence for each while pointing out the strengths and limitations of both in a manner that anticipates the audience’s knowledge level, concerns, values, and possible biases.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.11-12.4
Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. (Grade-specific expectations for writing types are defined in standards 1-3 above.)
Description: Write a review for a movie of your choice. Remember that a review is an opinionated analysis so you will need to break down your review into segments and analyze and evaluate each and come to a conclusion of what the overall quality of the movie is. Many of you will naturally choose your favorite movie, but it is important that you also exercise objectivity since what may be your favorite does not necessarily mean that it’s a high quality product.
Format this like an essay but label each part, for example, after the intro paragraph, label your next section “story” so that it’s clear that what follows is an analysis of the story. Your intro should immediately establish what your point of view is and your conclusion wraps up the review and makes any final strong points. Ensure that you utilize a wide array of descriptive sensory/atmospheric language. Proper grammar and spelling is also graded. Note that if you’re doing an older movie, review it as a viewer of today so if an effect or visual has not aged well, point it out. Also reviews are meant as a means to convince people to watch or not watch a movie so NO SPOILERS.
Feel free to apply the guidelines listed here: https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Movie-Review
Example of a movie review I wrote:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hEatPivx2DFSEHcTGN6zR7A_TRG-exWkGZoUxRr8MvA/edit?usp=sharing
In case you forgot your movie choice:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xAtkvgb-xIk9q2mEkR6o2ML9COdMrYr5AB2XUoW6fkk/edit?usp=sharing
Dates:
Rough Draft – 3/6
Final Draft – 3/12
RUBRIC
Criteria
Exceeds
Meets
Approaching
Not Approaching
Score
Story
-Gives a brief summary of the intro and possible overarching narrative of the story
-Analyzes the themes/morals that the story is attempting to deliver
-Discusses the characters and how well written and relevant to the story they were
-Evaluates the overall quality/delivery of the story
-NO SPOILERS
Achieves all of the criteria in exceeds but may be lacking in some details or in the analysis
Achieves 3 out of the 4 criteria
Achieves 2 or less of the criteria
/25
Acting (voice acting if cartoon)
*Please identify each actor by their real name and point out who they played
-Breaks down the most significant actors and the roles they played
-Highlights strengths/weaknesses of their acting and/or chemistry
-Evaluates how well the actors brought the story to life
-Highly descriptive in detailing the performances of the main actors
Achieves the first 3 criteria points
Achieves 2 out of the 4 criteria
Achieves 1 or none of the criteria
/25
Cinematography (animation if cartoon)
*Identify the director
-Describes in great detail the visuals presented (taking into account atmosphere, mood, visual theme)
-Analyzes the execution of the visuals (overall quality, easy to follow action, convincing effects)
-Evaluates how well the visuals align with the story
Achieves all of the criteria in exceeds but may be lacking in some details or in the analysis
Achieves 2 out of the 3 criteria
Achieves 1 or none of the criteria
/25
Audio
*Identify composer and any singers
-Describes in great detail the audio and music presented (taking into account how it adds to the atmosphere and mood)
-Analyzes the execution of the audio and music (convincing sound effects, appropriate use of music)
-Evaluates how well the music aligns with the story (especially if it’s a musical)
Achieves all of the criteria in exceeds but may be lacking in some details or in the analysis
Achieves 2 out of the 3 criteria
Achieves 1 or none of the criteria
/25
Descriptive Sensory/ Atmospheric Language
Language used taps into the senses and emotions, almost fully recreating the experience of what the writer witnessed to the readers. Utilizes precise rich/distinctive language that goes beyond basic vocabulary.
Language used taps into the senses and emotions, fully recreating the experience
Language used taps into the senses or emotions, somewhat recreates
Language does not tap into the senses or emotions
/50
Organization of review
Paper is well organized, easy to dissect, and clearly labels each section. Each section is ordered in a manner that indicates that the writer understands which aspects are valued more depending on their movie choice.
Paper is well organized, easy to dissect, and clearly labels each section.
Paper fails to properly organize content according to the directions.
/20
Grammar/Usage & Spelling
Language is clear and powerful, there are no significant errors of spelling, grammar, or usage. The essay may show a distinctive and/or elegant writing style.
The essay contains only
occasional errors of spelling, grammar, and usage. The language is clear, but the writing may not be especially
The essay suffers from errors of spelling, grammar, and/or usage. The language is occasionally unclear.
The essay suffers from significant errors of spelling,
grammar, and usage. The language is unclear, and poor writing makes it difficult to ascertain the author’s meaning.
/30
TOTAL
/200
EXTRA CREDIT
Produce a video delivering the contents of the essay. Use relevant/appropriate clips of the movie (no spoilers) to emphasize certain points and properly label each section.
/50