Play Review Assignment
Write a review on the play Hamlet by Shakespeare.
Here is the link to Youtube of the play by BLC: a modernized production of Shakespeare’s tragedy.
Five paragraphs in length. A paragraph should be 4-5 sentences long.
Structure
The following is not a hard and fast rule, but more of a guide.
Paragraph 1, Introduction:
Who (the playwright, director, main actors, designers, etc.)
What (the play)
Your initial thoughts on the play/musical and how the camera may have changed the experience
Maybe it would have been funnier in person?
Or perhaps because you saw it alone you were more comfortable with reacting carefree?
Was the camera work distracting at all? Or did it help you focus on the story and actors more? Did the camera choreography help tell the story at all?
Where (name of the theatre and the school/company sponsoring the play)
When (performance times and dates)
Paragraph 2: Summary
A brief summary of the action of the play
A brief idea of the major themes of the play
Paragraphs 3 and 4: The Meat & Potatoes
Pick two major topics that should be discussed. For example, paragraph 3 might discuss the acting and paragraph may address technical issues that the play raised. Try not to mention a ton of different topics, but to limit the review to two topics and discuss each completely.
You can also discuss here things that they could do on film that may be more difficult or different in real life. For instance, a ton of different locations, special effects, seamless lighting changes (or perhaps the lighting was more realistic in the movie than it would be on the stage), surround sound audio and underscoring.
Note: Simply describing that something is “good” or “bad” isn’t enough. These are surface-level arguments. Dig deeper and defend your opinions using information that you have read in the textbook, things we have discussed in class, or information you have gleaned from lectures. Back up what you say and prove that you know what you are talking about. Think of yourself as a critic, not simply a reviewer.
Paragraph 5: Closing
Wrap up your paper with a brief closing statement in 3-5 sentences.
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Here is the rubric for a better understanding of the assignment (if needed)
Some Rubric
Criteria Ratings Pts
Spelling & Grammar
10.0 to >0.0 pts
Full Marks
Some to no spelling or grammar mistakes.
0.0 pts
No Marks
Excessive spelling and grammar mistakes.
10.0 pts
Introduction
15.0 pts
Full Marks
Effectively introduces the reader to the play, your initial thoughts on how the camera may have changed the piece, and a thesis statement that sets up the rest of the paper.
12.0 pts
High Marks
The introduction is missing one component outlined in the prompt.
8.0 pts
Some Marks
The introduction is missing more than one of the components outlined in the prompt
4.0 pts
Low Marks
The introduction exists but addresses a few of the components outlined in the prompt.
0.0 pts
No Marks
An introduction is skipped or does not address any of the components outlined in the prompt.
15.0 pts
Summary
10.0 pts
Full Marks
Provides a brief summary of the action of the play and explores some of the major themes of the play.
5.0 pts
Some Marks
The summary only addresses the action of the play or the major themes, but not both.
0.0 pts
No Marks
The summary is missing or does not address any of the components outlined in the prompt.
10.0 pts
Main Point 1
25.0 pts
Full Marks
A thorough exploration and critique on the effectiveness of a single topic (i.e. the acting, the lighting design, the script) using vocabulary and topics we have studied in class as support.
19.0 pts
High Marks
A single topic is explored but is not thoroughly examined using vocabulary and topics we have studied in class as support.
13.0 pts
Some Marks
A single topic is explored, but not thoroughly examined and does not use any vocabulary or topics we have discussed in class as support.
7.0 pts
Low Marks
The critique of the first main point is surface level (i.e. “It was bad.”)
0.0 pts
No Marks
The first main point is missing.
25.0 pts
Main Point 2
25.0 pts
Full Marks
A thorough exploration and critique on the effectiveness of a single topic (i.e. the acting, the lighting design, the script) using vocabulary and topics we have studied in class as support.
19.0 pts
High Marks
A single topic is explored but is not thoroughly examined using vocabulary and topics we have studied in class as support.
13.0 pts
Some Marks
A single topic is explored, but not thoroughly examined and does not use any vocabulary or topics we have discussed in class as support.
7.0 pts
Low Marks
The critique of the first main point is surface level (i.e. “It was bad.”)
0.0 pts
No Marks
The first main point is missing.
25.0 pts
Closing
15.0 pts
Full Marks
A brief wrap-up of your paper that reiterates your main points and how they relate to your thesis.
7.5 pts
Some Marks
The closing exists but does not reiterate your main points or how they relate to your thesis.
0.0 pts
No Marks
The closing is missing.
15.0 pts
Total Points: 100.0
