Film Analysis Paper Rubric
Outstanding
(5 pts)
Definition and
Provides
Thesis/Argument accurate
definition(s) to
principle(s) used
in their own
words AND
provides an
argument/thesis
(what are you
trying to
convince the
reader of in this
paper?)
Application of
Provides
Principles to
accurate
Film
examples from
film AND
articulates a
strong
justification for
examples.
Writing
Uses wellMechanics &
formed sentences
Guidelines
with no
grammatical
errors.
1 page, singlespaced & uses
required paper
heading.
Acceptable
(3 pts)
Poor
(2 pts)
No
Evidence/Inaccurate
(0 pts)
Provides entirely
inaccurate definition(s)
AND/OR provides no
evidence to assess
performance.
Provides accurate
definition(s) to
principle(s) BUT
lacks a strong
thesis statement.
OR
Partially accurate
definition(s) (or,
not in own
words) BUT
strong thesis
statement.
Provides
partially
accurate
definition(s)
AND lacks a
strong thesis
statement.
Provides accurate
examples BUT
provides weak
justification for
examples.
Provides
accurate
examples
BUT
provides NO
justification.
Provides entirely
inaccurate examples
AND/OR provides no
justification to assess
performance.
Few grammatical
errors.
Doesn’t meet all
of the required
paper structure
guidelines.
Fragmented
sentences
with frequent
grammatical
errors and
none of the
required
paper
structure
guidelines
met.
Errors prevent reader
from understanding
content of paper and
none of the paper
structure guidelines are
met.
Museum Analysis Report (Psyc 492): Grading Rubric
To save paper, please put Title page info. in “header” with page numbers.
In other words, title page is not necessary 
Total Possible Points = 10
+ 2 pts: For submitting a paper meeting guidelines (see “Analysis Report of
Museums & Social Issues” handout on BB). Please begin with a short summary
about the museum you chose to visit.
+2 pts: For quality of writing—please be succinct and articulate, and pay
attention to grammar. In other words, your first attempt should be subjected to a
few iterations/editing sessions before turning it in. Polished papers get better
grades!
+2 pts: For a FOCUSED analysis of your museum experience employing the
social psychological principle(s) we have covered in class.
IMPORTANT: Do not provide a “laundry list” of various social psychological
principles. Instead, please emphasize one or two concepts and use as a lens
through which you engage/describe your museum experience. Depth of analysis
is better than breath of analysis, especially given the brevity of the paper.
+1 pts: Does your paper have a thesis/argument and support for point(s) you are
trying to make? This should be the paragraph following your “brief summary.”
(See next item for a description of “support”)
+2 pts: (This is the development of your thesis/argument)—does the student
have mastery over the social psychological principles mentioned in the paper?
Are the social psychological principles (remember just one or two) used
correctly? Does the student elaborate in interesting & creative ways about the
social psychological principle(s) being employed?
+1 pts: Is the paper concluded logically and not just abruptly ended because you
have run out of pages or reached your word limitation? This is where the editing
is crucial and most of your time should be spent. By neatly tying up your paper,
you will be forced to edit the entire contents so it flows logically (and nicely for the
reader). Each ending sentence in a paragraph should lead into the first
sentence/topic/idea in the following paragraph, etc…