Video Response Expectations

Passing Portfolio

As with all assignments, one concern is producing an overall product that meets the assignment criteria in a manner that will also produce an essay that passes the portfolio process.

Response to Assignment

The essay should use a concept from chapter three or four of Unspun as a springboard to an analysis of a video of the students choosing. The video should be analyzed using the PBS Savvy Voter criteria. The introduction should name Jackson and Jamieson and their text, and provide some transition from the issue drawn from them to the name of the video and some brief explanation as to how it addresses the issue drawn from UnSpun. A thesis should make a claim about that video that can also be tied back to UnSpun.

Appropriateness of topic treatment for college reading audience

Would anyone with half a brain and half an education appreciate the manner in which the topic was addressed and the essay written? Is it wholly engaging and entertaining to a well-read reader, providing a fresh take on the topic?

Introduction

The introduction should provide the reader a clear expectation of how the essay is going to progress by introducing Jackson and Jamieson, their text, and a properly cited passage from the text (though not necessarily all in the first sentence), providing sufficient background to whatever issue being introduced, segue from that background to the video and further segue from the video to a thesis that creates a clear expectation for the essay, one that provides some sense of interest, concern or importance with regard to the issue. ideally the introduction introduces the topic in a way that addresses all of the expected criteria: among them topic introduced in a general way, provides some transition to the quote upon which the essay is starting upon, provides a proper citation for that quote, provides more transition to thesis, and concludes with a clear indication of where the essay is headed.

Focus

The focus of the essay should remain on the springboard issue from UnSpun. This happens when there is a clear thesis to articulate the point, each paragraph fits with and is tied back to the claim of the thesis using a warrant, and the conclusion drives home the point of the thesis. Ideally the thesis, point or main idea is readily apparent, clearly expressed and creates a context for examining the evidence of the essay while offering an original and engaging focus. Additionally, each support paragraph contains a warrant establishing the relationship between each example and the thesis and the conclusion drives home the point raised in the thesis.

Development

Developing the claim of the thesis requires paragraphs that contain specific examples that have an obvious relationship to the thesis.  Ideally each supporting example is unmistakably pertinent to the claim of the thesis and is explained in a way that creates a clear link between that evidence and the thesis. Essay is packed with information and pertinent detail. Carefully chosen examples have a just right feel to them. Vivid language, deft comparisons, and colorful images both please and inform.

Organization/Paragraphing

Effective paragraphs for this assignment will contain several elements: a topic statement making clear what is being examined (candidate mythology, props, music, etc.), some general discussion/explanation of the role played by the element being examined, a specific example or two showing how that element is used in the video and some explanation making it clear how the material of the paragraph supports and develops the claim of the thesis (otherwise known as a warrant).  Readers do not stumble or hesitate over the sequence of facts or ideas. In fact, there is no conceivably better way to organize both the paragraphs and the material within the paragraphs.

Grammar and Mechanics

Sentences should be intelligible upon first reading, nearly devoid of non-standard punctuation, spelling, word order, word choice and the like.  Along with being generally free from errors, the essay exhibits clarity of expression and a facility with language. Has varied sentences, with rhythm and emphasis appropriate to the meaning. Phrasing is often fluent, even graceful, and the sentences read well aloud. Offers accurate word choices, especially verbs and nouns, that are consistent, unambiguous, and sensitive to connotations. The essay will be evaluated via a holistic, primary-trait approach. Rather than looking at anything in isolation, at least as much as is possible, the essay will be read with an eye to the elements mentioned in the Goals section. With the addition of Grammar and Mechanics, the essay will be evaluated by how well it makes use of essay format (intro, body and conclusion), how well it incorporates sources and ties that material back to the thesis, how properly the material is cited, and how good the sources used are. Te grade will be an approximation of how well the essay can be expected to do in the portfolio process.

Self Evaluation

As with all assignments, provide a self-evaluation. This time, provide an explanation that spells out how your essay achieves the above mention listed assignment goals. What about your analysis is effective? Your choice of details and examples? Your use of essay format? Your thesis? Make it clear how these elements are (or aren't if that's the case) making your essay successful. Turn this in with your essay.