Review and Research Project Assignment
Length 6-7 pages with an additional works cited page
Culture Critic Challenge:
This project is your chance to delve into a piece of media that truly ignites
your passion. You may choose a film, TV show, music album, or video game.
To make things easier, you can pick something you are familiar with. It can be
something that you would recommend or not recommend to someone
interested in your source. Choose something you’re excited to explore in
depth. Be prepared to view/listen/play the source multiple times, as a
thorough review essay requires a deep understanding.
Reviewing with a Twist: Go Beyond “Like” or “Dislike”
The review essay is a powerful genre that uses analysis and argument
to support a central claim – your thesis. This thesis should be more
than a simple “I liked it” or “I disliked it.” This assignment gives you the
opportunity to showcase all the critical thinking skills you’ve honed this
semester, including close reading, summarizing, analyzing, and
researching. By integrating research, reflection, and your unique
perspective, you’ll craft a review that not only analyzes your chosen media but also leaves a
lasting impact.
Crafting a Compelling Introduction:
1. Set the Stage: Begin by introducing the title of your chosen source, the main
author/artist (director for film, artist/producer for music, developer/director for video
games), and the year it was produced/released.
2. Context is Key: Briefly mention earlier works by the creator(s) to provide context for
your chosen source.
3. Thesis Time! Clearly state your thesis – the main argument you’ll develop
throughout your essay.
Guiding Your Reader Through the Source: Summary and Analysis
4. Plot/Genre Summary: Provide a concise summary of the plot,
themes, or genre, avoiding spoilers. Assume your reader is not
familiar with the source.
5. Significance: Explain what makes this work unique, interesting,
or worthy of analysis. Identify specific elements or themes you
will focus on.
6. Cultural Context: Demonstrate your understanding of the work’s cultural and
historical context, using evidence to support your claims.
Why This Source Matters:
7. What Makes it Special?: Explain what makes this source interesting, unique, or
worthy of deep analysis. Identify the specific elements or themes you’ll focus on in
your review.
Connecting the Dots: Source and Cultural Context:
8. Beyond the Surface: Demonstrate your knowledge of the source’s cultural and
historical context. For example, if reviewing a romantic comedy, explore the history,
conventions, and expectations of this genre. Use evidence to support your claims.
Evidence is King:
9. Proof Positive: Throughout your essay, use specific scenes, songs, or other
examples from your source as evidence to support your larger claims about the work
as a whole.
Standing Out from the Crowd:
10. A Comparative Lens: If your source has previous versions or similar works,
compare and contrast it to these. For example, how does a specific Call of Duty
game compare to earlier editions or other war-themed titles?
Seeking Outside Perspectives:
Using Sources: This project goes beyond simply stating your
opinion. You’ll need to integrate research from credible external
sources to strengthen your arguments. Here’s what you’ll need:
• 1 Positive Review: Find an outside review of your primary
source that offers a generally positive perspective.
• 1 Critical Review: Locate an additional review that presents
a negative or mixed view of your source.
• 1 Academic Source: Include one academic, peer-reviewed article that analyzes
your primary source or its genre.
You may use additional sources as needed.
Don’t Forget to Cite!
Works Cited: Always include a MLA Works Cited page that properly references all the
sources you used in your essay.
More Than Just an Opinion:
This assignment is about going beyond simply expressing your opinion. By effectively
summarizing, integrating multiple sources, citing correctly, and using research, you’ll
demonstrate mastery of the crucial skills developed throughout the semester.
