Rubric for Film Review Name:

Exceptional Proficient Approaching Well Below

CONTENT
• Introduction with Engaging introduction Coherent Intro. is weak, doesn’t Vague introduction,
thesis that contains hook, introduction give reader general reader has little sense of
time period and info contains some background on film’s what film is about.
on film’s plot. Contains general plot. Thesis is not clearly No clear thesis,
a strong, well defined background info stated, perfunctory, incomplete
thesis (last sentence of on film’s plot. simple unclear.
introductory Clear thesis
paragraph!) Paper has defined, provides
direction direction for paper
• Ideas & Thesis is simplistic,
argument Thesis well developed, inadequately developed, Thesis is obvious,
interesting, clear, Thesis is clear and lacking in relevance. unsound, inaccurate. No
reasoned, insightful thoughtful. Some Shows limited analysis
ideas. Ideas show critical thinking knowledge of film and Doesn’t demonstrate
critical thinking and and analysis. topic, some knowledge of film and
analysis. Shows knowledge misinterpretation of topic
Shows thorough of film and topic of events in film
knowledge of film themes
topic and themes
• Support &
evidence Uneven, general, often
Detailed, accurate, brief Vague, missing or
Specific, convincing Sufficient, Minimal examples used inappropriate,
and appropriate accurate examples from film. Not fully Little or no examples
examples/quotations from film. developed throughout from film used
from film. Fully May not be fully essay
developed throughout developed
• Conclusion essay throughout essay.

Stylishly and subtly Summarizes previously Absent, incomplete,

returns to thesis. Returns to thesis stated information, Fails to conclude, adds
Extends main ideas, and effectively concludes but nothing in many words
connects and summarizes main doesn’t extend
comments on topic. points and ideas

ORGANIZATION Topic sentences T.S T.S. is a restatement of No topic sentences or

• Topic & clearly related to Comprehensive, position, narrow or not appropriate for
Concluding thesis and logical and related inaccurate, may not be paragraph’s content. C.S
Sentences (TS & comprehensive, CS is to thesis. Provides appropriate for absent
CS) a comprehensive focus for paragraph’s content,
summary of paragraph. C.S C.S. simplistic
paragraph’s content, summarizes
incorporates effective paragraph’s
transitions content Random, no evidence of
Ineffective or paragraph structure
• Paragraph Order Order contributes to Order follows inconsistent paragraph Illogical organization of
an effective argument, position, shows order, not fully ideas
 reinforces content, clear plan, but not developed
unified and coherent, perfected
paper flows smoothly
• Transitions No clear connections
Awareness of transitions between paragraphs
Fluid, engaging and Clear, functional but seems mechanical or
varied “bridge” forced
transitions made transitions made
between paragraphs between
paragraphs

EXPRESSION Complete, varied, Complete and Some variety, some Repetitious, fragments
• Sentence interesting, evident correct, errors present and run ons frequent
Structure command of Some style
technique, style and
grace Adequate, uneven Limited, monotonous,
• Vocabulary Effective, “Thesaurus syndrome” inappropriate, uses lazy
Varied and appropriate to task words
sophisticated Errors are careless and
Few errors but do distracting Mechanical errors
• Mechanics not which interfere with
Error free in spelling Interfere with communication and/or
and capitalization. meaning meaning
Consistent but
mechanical or
• Voice perfunctory Unclear, unauthentic,
Distinctive, Clear, authentic, Inappropriate to task
appropriate to task consistent and audience
and audience
SUBMISSION On time, complete, On time, rushed On time, unfinished. Late, haphazard and/ or
and finished, but finished, Some effort to make unfinished,
PRESENTATION* Evidence of planning Neat, organized, attractive and/or Unattractive, illegible
*Submit Rubric and time well used legible product appropriate product product
with paper! Neat, organized,
legible product

Proper use of MLA Uses MLA format May not be in MLA Not in MLA format
format for the most part, format Errors in all three: use of
Proper use of margins, Minor errors in Significant errors in use margins, font, line-
font, line-spacing margins, font, line- of margins, font, or line- spacing
spacing spacing
Rubric submitted Rubric not submitted (-2)

RESOURCES Bibliography complete Bibliography is Bibliography complete, Bibliography incomplete

and in proper format. complete, may not not in proper format. Film not cited.
Film is properly cited. be Film is cited.
in proper format. If absent – 10 points off
Film is cited. paper’s grade!