Film report
Introduction
The third part of the film portfolio, the film report, is an outcome of your film proposal. Please integrate feedback from us into your film report. The film report asks you to compare two films shown in class with a specific analytical angle and persuasive argumentation. The argument and comparability (why the two films are comparable) need to be stated clearly at the beginning of the report. Please refer to the grading rubric down below to guide your writing. At least two academic sources are required in your report.
Late policy for the portfolio final report: The portfolio film report follows a three-day late policy. Late projects will be assessed a 10% deduction at each 24-hour period (including submissions made within 24 hours) after the due date. Exams submitted three days later will not be accepted and graded.
Requirement
What to write: discussing one burgeoning theme or phenomenon of Chinese cinema by comparing two or more films watched in class. The two films may have some levels of similarity in themes and/or cinematography.
Format: the film project can be finished in the form of a written report or a video report based on the proposal.
If finished as a written report: the report itself needs to follow the basic essay format, with a title, a clear argument, detailed examples and analysis to support the argument, and a conclusion. In-text citation and bibliography are required for the report. The length should be at least 1500 words (excluding bibliography), 12 font size, double spaced, Times New Roman.
If finished as a video report: the video needs to also follow a rough structure of a title, an introduction, analysis on textual/video materials, and a conclusion, which are delivered in a video format. You can use voiceover to narrate your analysis on certain video materials as shown in your video report, as a way to better elaborate the arguments and analysis. The whole length of the video report should be about 10 minutes long. The subtitle is not needed (considering it is time-consuming) as long as the narration is easy to follow.
The video report format is more suitable for those whose topics involve rich visual and acoustic materials, and for those with members who are skillful at video editing.
Grading rubric:
Please go over the rubric carefully before starting your report:
Rubric for the written report:
Standard
Excellent (20-25)
Good (15-20)
Poor (10-15)
Unacceptable (0-10)
Content
Contains a clear and well-thought argument/thesis statement;
Justifies the reason why the films of your choice are comparable;
Demonstrates an understanding of details from texts and secondary sources;
Accurately captures themes in the two or more films under discussion.
Contains a clear and relevant argument/thesis statement;
Justifies why the films of your choice are comparable;
Demonstrates some understanding of details from texts and secondary sources;
Captures the themes in the films under discussion but may lack some depth and complexity.
Contains a vague or no argument/thesis statement; no justification on the comparability of films under discussion;
Fails to demonstrate the ability to use textual evidence and secondary sources to support the argument; Fails to explore the theme with adequate depth.
The thesis statement is irrelevant;
Inaccurate identification of textual material with no citation of secondary sources;
Explores irrelevant themes focusing too much on trivial details.
Development
The argument is fully supported and elaborated by using textual material and secondary sources;
The structure is clear and coherent to the central idea;
Development is compelling throughout the article, sustaining a logical flow.
The thesis statement is developed by using some textual material and secondary sources;
The structure is mostly clear and coherent to the central idea; Development is thorough, following a clear line of reasoning.
Ideas are minimally developed with few details;
Evidence may be irrelevant to the argument; Development is weak with little reasoning.
Ideas lack support;
Uses irrelevant evidence;
Development lacks a line of reasoning.
Organization
Contains a concise and clear introduction with established contexts for readers;
Body paragraphs are clearly structured with smooth transitions;
The conclusion provides insightful ideas to recap the argument.
Contains some introduction with textual context and a sufficient focus on the argument; Body paragraphs stay on topic with little digression; Use limited but sufficient transitions to connect each paragraph;
The conclusion may be short but sufficient to recap the argument.
Lacks a clear organizational structure;
Lacks sequence and transitions;
Details may be randomly placed.
Lacks a clear organizational structure with no transition.
Language
Demonstrates appropriate use of correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar;
Contains minimal errors that do not affect readability.
Demonstrates adequate use of correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar;
Errors may be noticeable but do not significantly affect readability.
Demonstrates a minimal use of correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar;
Errors are distracting and interfere with readability.
Demonstrates a very limited use of correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar;
Errors severely impede readability.
