Ed. 9-15-20

Prior to starting this assignment, read chapter 1 in the Ferguson text.

I will provide you with three reviews of a single play. Read them carefully making note of inconsistencies and similarities between the reviews—this first step of sorting out the data is critical. You should specifically make note of the following things:

     -Hints of the personal bias of the reviewer.

     -A negative or positive tone to the review.

     -Mention of any production elements such as design or technology

     -Mention of acting or choreography

     -A critique that is substantiated by example or critique that seems to be pure opinion.

     -The difference between a critique of the script and a critique of the performance.

     -Factual errors (that you can determine from research or by comparison across reviews).

Write a three page paper analyzing the reviews and comparing them to each other.

Your paper should be formatted as follows:

Your papers should have a brief, introductory paragraph that gives pertinent information, lays out your ideas and is specific to what the assignment is asking; a middle section of several paragraphs that is a development of those ideas, making  "A/B/C" comparisons of 3-4 individual topics among the reviews; and a concluding paragraph that sums up your assertions and arguments.

I will give you a compare/contrast handout in class and we will discuss a basic topic/subject comparison format. Refer to this handout to help you with the structure. However you choose to proceed, I will be looking for clearly organized arguments leading to well-supported conclusions.

Revise and edit this paper down to make it as concise and informative as possible. Do not hand in a first draft. As always, it should be double-spaced and in 12 point font, have one inch margins and an MLA header, have page numbers and cite any quotations or sources in MLA style. Please staple in the upper left corner. If you are submitting the paper online it must be in WORD format.

Grading will be based on content, but also on form:

Structure:               

Have you followed a clear compare/contrast structure of three to four topics across three reviewers? Have you supported your assertions? Is there a clear, informative intro. and a conclusion?

Format:                    

Are there page numbers, 1” margins, staple, MLA header in the upper left, appropriate length? Is the structure clear and easy to follow?

Proof-reading:  

Are there spelling, continuity, or punctuation errors? Are all of your quotes and references clearly and properly cited? Does the paper comply with all of the requirements on this assignment sheet?

Seminar Review Analysis Paper