English 1302
Short Academic Response #2: Movie Review
Arguments based on facts and reason
(based on Everything’s an Argument, )
Write a 1.5 – 2 page response on the following. Be sure to review the attached rubric as a reminder of how Reader
Response papers will be graded.
Find a full review of a recent film that you either enjoyed or did not enjoy. Using testimony from that review, write a brief
argument to your classmates explaining why they should see that movie (or why they should avoid it), being sure to use
evidence from the review fairly and reasonably. You must include a copy of your film review with your paper.
In your first paragraph, give the type, title, and the source of the film review and some general introductory comments
on your film.
In paragraph 2:
Who is arguing and what (if any) credentials or expertise does this person have?
What purpose is the writer trying to achieve? (See the subheadings in Chapter 4)
paragraph 3:
Who is the argument directed to? (Who is the target audience?)
In paragraph 4:
Do you think the argument’s purpose was achieved? Why or why not?
What appeals does the reviewer make and how?
Your Short Academic Response #2 is due by Sunday, February 2, by 11:59 pm. No late responses will be accepted.
ENGL 1302
Reader Responses
Reader Responses are short (1.5 – 2 page) written assignments that respond to course readings.
Specific topics and deadlines will be announced as the course progresses, but these are the
general requirements for all Reader Responses.
Format – Double space. Use 12-pt Times New Roman font. Include a heading, header, and title
as required for MLA style (covered in your text books). To avoid plagiarism, cite any
information taken from outside sources including from the text book. Use MLA-style citations.
Mechanics – Although these are not formal essays, they should be edited as carefully as your
major essay assignments.After you draft and revise the content of the Response, after you work
on the organization, spend some additional time editing and proofreading. Eliminate grammar
errors, punctuation errors, and other surface issues that can make your writing confusing or less
convincing to readers.
Organization – All Reader Responses should include well-organized paragraphs with topic
sentences and supporting evidence. Specific assignments may give a number of paragraphs or
other directions about organization.
Content – Specific content will be assigned for each Reader Response throughout the semester.
Each assignment will require you to read carefully and think critically about what you have
read.
Grading
All Reader Responses will be graded on a scale of 0 to 100 using the following rubric:
Excellent (5) Good (4) Acceptable (3) Marginal (2) Poor (1) No Credit (0)
Response includes Response follows Response follows Response follows Response has at Response has at
a brief, accurate the assignment but the assignment but the assignment but least one of the least one of these
summary as would benefit has at least one of has at least one of following issues: issues: is outside
instructed from additional the following the following is mostly the specified word
followed by supporting details, issues: needs issues: includes summary, is count, is off topic,
insightful more effective additional too much highly repetitive, was not submitted
analysis/response organization, or supporting details, summary and too is inaccurate or by the deadline,
as instructed. It is more careful needs better little superficial in was not submitted
detailed, well- editing. It is organization, or analysis/response, summarizing the in the specified
organized, and correctly needs additional has weak assigned reading, format, and/or
well-edited. It is formatted. editing. May also organization, has is very otherwise fails to
correctly have formatting numerous disorganized, or is follow the
formatted. issues. grammar and unedited/riddled assignment.
mechanics errors. with surface
May also have errors. May be
formatting issues. incorrectly
formatted.
