The United States: History, Identity and Culture (CHI4U)
American History on Film
2018
Each year you are offered the opportunity to prepare a critical film review of a feature film on a topic in American History (from ca. 1850 onwards), chosen from the following list:
- 13 Days (2000) – the Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)
The review should assess both the historical accuracy and the entertainment value of the film. The essay must discuss both historical and entertainment aspects (acting, costumes, music, cinematography, etc.) of the film.
As well as offering a critique of the film, the review essay must compare the presentation of historical events in the film to the historical record.
How far is the film a realistic or accurate portrayal of the historical events and period? Finally, each student should suggest revisions which could be made to improve the film’s presentation and/or historical accuracy.
The essay should conclude with an assessment of the value of the film to gaining an understanding of the historical events portrayed in the film.
Requirements:
Your film review essay must:
- be 1500 to 2000 words.
- be submitted to the ‘A’ tab in your course OneNote folder.
- have a title page with your name, title of research essay, date, class, teacher
- have an introduction (which will include your topic), a body (including your main points/arguments), and a conclusion.
- include citations – following APA citation standards.
- include a list of works cited – 4 sources minimum (not including the film!). At least one source must be a printed or e-book or journal (excluding your textbook).
Your final essay will be marked according to the criteria above. Please refer to the rubric which follows below for further guidance.
NOTE: If you are completing the Essay for CHI4U as a component of your Co-op credit, your essay topic will relate to your international service project. This will be arranged in consultation with your CHI4U teacher. It will not be a critical film review. All other elements – including due dates – are unchanged. PLEASE SEE THE DOCUMENT ‘CHI4U CO-OP ESSAY’
CHI4U
2018
CHI4U – Film Review Essay Rubric
Name: XX
| Categories
/Criteria |
Level 1 (50-59%) | Level 2 (60-69%) | Level 3 (70-79%) | Level 4 (80-89%) | Level 5 (90-100%) |
| Knowledge/
Understanding Introduction and Conclusion
(10) XX
|
Introductory thesis statement does not identify the point of view that is being taken and cannot be argued, and theme not introduced.
Conclusion inaccurately restates thesis and makes limited reference to essay arguments without additional comment. |
Introductory thesis needs to clearly identify the point of view; theme received basic introduction.
Conclusion simply restates the thesis and makes some reference to the arguments, but with limited additional comment or material. |
Good thesis statement that has a clear point of view and can be argued with considerable effectiveness.
Conclusion restates the thesis with some creativity and makes reference to the major arguments and how they support the thesis.
|
Very good thesis statement that has a solid point of view and can be argued with effectiveness.
Conclusion clearly restates the thesis with of creativity and briefly and concisely shows how the major arguments support the thesis. |
Excellent thesis statement that has a solid point of view and can be argued with a high degree of effectiveness.
Conclusion clearly restates the thesis with a high degree of creativity and briefly and concisely shows how the major arguments support the thesis. |
| Thinking and Inquiry
Research
(10) XX
|
Limited use of sources.
Insufficient and incorrect use of APA referencing. |
Limited range of sources (print and electronic).
Inconsistent use of APA referencing. |
Considerable use of range of sources (print and electronic)
General use of APA referencing. |
Thorough use of range of sources (print and/or electronic)
Correct use of APA referencing.
|
Thorough use of a wide range of sources (both print and electronic)
Full and correct use of APA referencing.
|
| Communication
Essay style/ spelling and grammar
(10) XX
|
Limited use of transitions between paragraphs or formal language; poor order of arguments.
Poor grammar, spelling and punctuation accuracy, with large numbers of significant errors. |
Some use of transitions between paragraphs or formal language; fair order of arguments.
Fair grammar, spelling and punctuation accuracy, with some significant errors. |
Considerable use of transitions between paragraphs or formal language; fairly good order of arguments.
General use of appropriate grammar, spelling and punctuation conventions, with occasional errors. |
Effective use of transitions between paragraphs or formal language; excellent order of arguments.
Consistent observation of appropriate grammar, spelling and punctuation conventions. |
Sophisticated use of transitions between paragraphs or formal language; excellent order and development of arguments.
Excellent observation of appropriate grammar, spelling and punctuation conventions. |
| Thinking and Inquiry
Body and Arguments
(10) XX |
Arguments are unclear and develop the thesis with limited effectiveness.
Little historical evidence used to support arguments.
|
Arguments are fairly clear, and generally effective in developing the thesis.
Some historical evidence used to support arguments.
|
Arguments are generally clear, and assist in developing the thesis.
Historical evidence regularly used to support arguments.
|
Arguments are generally clear and cogent, and effectively develop the thesis.
Historical evidence consistently used to effectively support arguments. |
Arguments are clear and cogent, and most effectively develop the thesis.
Ample historical evidence used to effectively support all arguments. |
American History on Film
Historical Comparison
Compare the presentation of historical events/persons/settings etc from the film to the historical record. You should provide 10 points of comparison.
| Film | History |
| 1. | |
| 2. | |
| 3. | |
| 4. | |
| 5. | |
| 6. | |
| 7. | |
| 8. | |
| 9. | |
| 10. |
Preliminary list of sources
Remember the details from the assignment: 4 sources minimum. This does not include the film. At least one source must be a printed or e-book or journal (excluding your textbook). APA format should be used.
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
| 4. |
| 5. |
