“Sigh No More Ladies, Sigh No More” Much Ado About Nothing Final Assignment
Please choose one of the following options:
1. In a well-developed essay, please answer the following question: How does rumor impact this
play? Think about all of the characters and discuss how rumours change the course of their lives
within the play.
Your essay should be approximately 1000 – 1500 words (4-6 pages). Make sure to follow MLA
formatting and answer every part of the question. This option will be graded using the rubric on
page 2.
2. Shakespeare’s plays have been staged around the world and while some directors choose to
stage the plays with Elizabethan costuming and staging, others stage the plays in different time
periods (present, the future, another time period all together). Imagine you are directing Much
Ado About Nothing and choose a time and place to set your version of the play. Write an
explanation of how you would stage it to show that time and place. You should explain
costumes, props, and sets (you may want to include drawings to support your explanations). As
well, rewrite 3 scenes of your choice (they can be three scenes from the same Act or from
different Acts) with stage directions that help your audience and actors understand your
interpretation of the play. This option will be graded using the rubric on page 3.
3. Much Ado About Nothing One-Pager: Using a 11 x 17 piece of paper create a one-pager for
Much Ado About Nothing – please see the attached sheet for a detailed explanation.
4. Another project of your choice – to be approved by Mrs. Abley. You will need to explain your
project, including the criteria Mrs. Abley should use to assess it and help create an assessment
tool (rubric, checklist, etc.).
Not Meeting
Standards (0)
Nearly Meeting
Standards (1-2)
Meeting
Standards (3-4)
Thesis Statement
and Introduction
Thesis is missing,
vague or unclear.
Introduction does
not relate to the
thesis.
Thesis lacks a clear
focus. Introduction
lacks detail but is
related to thesis.
Thesis establishes
clear focus and
reflects the
assignment.
Introduction
creates interest.
Textual Evidence
and Supporting
Details
No supporting
details from the
text.
General statements
are made, but no
details are
described.
No conclusion, or
conclusion does not
address points
discussed in the
essay.
Some details, but
little evidence
directly from the
text.
May include details
irrelevant to the
thesis.
Conclusion is
recognizable and
addresses most of
the points
discussed in the
essay.
Textual evidence
clearly supports
thesis.
No irrelevant
details.
Many details are
not in a logical or
expected order.
There is little sense
that the writing is
organized.
Transitions
between ideas are
unclear or nonexistent
Some details are
not in a logical or
expected order, and
this distracts the
reader.
Some transitions
work well, but
connections
between other
ideas are fuzzy or
non-existent.
11-15 mistakes
The paper moves
from one idea to
the next, but there
is little variety.
The paper uses
effective transition
words to show the
relationship
between ideas.
An attempt is made
to use MLA
formatting, but
more than 10
errors in
formatting or
citation were made.
Between 5 and 10
mistakes in MLA
formatting or
citation were made.
Conclusion
Organization
Mechanics
(Spelling,
Grammar,
Punctuation, etc)
MLA Formatting
and Citation
More than 15
mistakes
No attempt is made
to use MLA
formatting and
Conclusion
effectively
summarizes topic
and addresses all of
the points
discussed in the
essay.
5-10 mistakes
Exceeding
Standards (5)
Well-developed
introduction that
engages the reader
and creates
interest.
Thesis establishes
clear focus, reflects
the assignment and
makes insightful
observations.
Extensive textual
evidence to support
thesis.
No irrelevant
details.
Conclusion
effectively wraps
up the essay and
goes beyond
restating the thesis
and summarizing
the points of the
essay.
The paper follows a
consistent order
and moves from
idea to idea
smoothly and with
style.
The paper uses
effective transition
words to show the
relationship
between ideas.
Fewer than 5
mistakes
Fewer than 5
mistakes in MLA
formatting and
citation were made.
Not Meeting
Standards (0)
Nearly Meeting
Standards (1-2)
Meeting
Standards (3-4)
Exceeding
Standards (5)
No setting
explanation
Explanation of
time, or
explanation of
place but not both.
Explanation of time
and place.
Costumes
No explanation of
costumes.
Explanation of
costumes for main
characters only.
Explanation of
costumes for all
characters.
Sets
No explanation of
sets.
An explanation of
some but not all
sets
An explanation of
all sets.
No props list.
A props list but no
explanations
A props list with
explanations
Stage Directions
(This Section is
worth double)
Fewer than 3
scenes written with
stage directions.
3 scenes written
with minimal
(fewer than 5 per
scene) additional
stage directions.
3 scenes written
with several (more
than 5 per scene)
additional stage
directions.
Mechanics
(Spelling,
Grammar,
Punctuation, etc)
More than 15
mistakes
11-15 mistakes
5-10 mistakes
Thoughtful, well
developed
explanation of both
time and place with
elaborate details
regarding the
decision making
process
Detailed
explanation of
costumes for all
characters
including details
regarding the
decision making
process regarding
costuming.
Detailed
explanation of all
sets including
details regarding
the decision
making process
regarding sets.
A props list with
complete
explanations
including decision
making process
regarding
explanations.
3 scenes written
with several
intricate and
thoughtful
additional stage
directions.
Fewer than 5
mistakes
Explanation of
Setting (Time
and Place)
Props