Paper being reviewed:____________________
Name of person completing the review:_____________________
Capstone Project: Paper Peer Review Rubric
“Madness in Movies” Coordinated Studies
Brian Holt & JC Clapp, North Seattle Community College, 2012
Part 1: Empirical Report (about 2 pages): Read through Part 1, and then check off all of the parts that you find completed
at a satisfactory level. Below, write comments about how you see this section being improved.
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Identifies the disorder using the DSM-IV-TR name and code
Includes a description of how the disorder typically presents in real life – with examples, as needed to illustrate
Explains the epidemiology of the disorder
Explains theoretical causes or explanations (etiology) of the disorder
Identifies and explains the risk factors for the disorder
Discusses the treatment options for the disorder
At least 2 pages and no more than 4 pages in length
Research sources are listed in the Works Cited page in MLA format
Carefully edited and proofread
Comments about Part 1:
Part 2: Analysis of Disorder in the Film (about 4-5 pages): Read through Part 2, and then check off all of the parts that
you find completed at a satisfactory level. Below, write comments about how you see this section being improved.
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Explains the character’s behavior (body movements, words/dialogue, treatment of others/self, and thoughts) to
illustrate how the disorder is communicated
Analysis of how the character’s behaviors, words, and thoughts are accurate portrayals of a typical person in real life
with the disorder – including specific examples from the film to illustrate the points
Analysis of how the character’s behaviors, words, and thoughts are not typical or accurate portrayals of the disorder
(and referring to differential diagnosis as necessary) – including specific examples from the film to illustrate the points
At least 4 pages and no more than 6 pages in length
Research sources are listed in proper MLA format
Carefully edited and proofread
Comments about Part 2:
Part 3: How Disorder Communicated in the Film (about 4-5 pages): Read through Part 3, and then check off all of the
parts that you find completed at a satisfactory level. Below, write comments about how you see this section being
improved.
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Focused solely on how the character is presented (does not discuss the behaviors discussed in Part 2, but instead looks
at how the director has presented him/her to us)
Detailed and analytical discussion of how the character’s disorder or mental state is communicated through filmmaking
techniques – including in-depth examples from the film to illustrate the points
Covers multiple aspects such as the mise-en-scene (setting, costuming, makeup, lighting, composition, use of space),
cinematography (camera perspective, depth of field, visual effects), editing, and sound (sound effects, music) – and how
those various aspects contribute to how the character’s mental disorder is perceived by the audience
A use and understanding of the vocabulary of film – demonstrates that appropriate filmmaking terms can be used
correctly to describe what’s happening on screen
At least 4 pages and no more than 6 pages in length
Research sources are listed in proper MLA format
Carefully edited and proofread
Comments about Part 3:
Part 4: Cultural Analysis Essay (6+ pages): Go through Part 4, and do/find/mark the following:
 Find the thesis statement and underline it. Is the thesis clear, persuasive, unique, focused, and compelling? Is
it clearly worded and edited carefully? If so, leave it alone. If not, write suggestions or comments below
about how the thesis might be improved:
 Essay includes an introduction, supporting paragraphs connected by tight transitions, and a conclusion. If anything is
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missing, mark on the essay where there needs to be improvements.
All parts of the essay clearly and thoroughly connect to the thesis statement – there is no “filler” information that isn’t
necessary for proving the thesis. If you find filler, then draw a line through it or otherwise mark it.
Essay considers the cultural, historical, social, and context of the film
All points include examples from the film and from research sources to support – go through the paper and mark all of
the P, I, and E’s. (P=Point, I=Illustrate with examples, E=Explain how the example supports the point)
All research material is properly documented with in-text citations (author’s last name and the page number).
There is no plot summary, actor or director biographies, or other filler
There is no personal response, commentary about if the message of the film is good/bad, personal reaction, critique, or
review of the film – the paper stays focused only on analyzing how the film works.
At least 6 pages and no more than 8 pages in length
Includes at least three scholarly/academic sources are used in Part 4 – Find and mark them!
Research sources are listed in proper MLA format
Carefully edited and proofread
Comments about Part 4: