Melodrama Project
Muppets: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gw-W48n06Lw
Due Dates:
Research- Wednesday, Jan 9
Rough Draft of Script- Monday, January 11
Poster- Friday, January 14
Performances/Script Due- Thursday and Friday, January 17 and 18
Rough Draft of Essay- Tuesday, January 22
Final Draft- Friday, January 25
Part 1: Research Essay - Provide at least three sources in Works Cited format.
Write a five-paragraph MEL-Con essay that a) defines Melodrama, b) explains the
popularity of Melodrama through its changes from the 18th-20th century, AND c)
suggests possible reasons for Melodrama’s decline in the later 20th century.
___Step 1: Research the topic
Research Due Weds., Jan 9 - Bring in the title, author’s name, publication date,
publisher or website address for at least three sources.
___Step 2: Create a thesis - What do you intend to prove?
___Step 3: Use ACTS format to write an introduction
___Step 4: Write three MEL-Con paragraphs that support your thesis. Be sure to
include at least one AWE for each supporting paragraph.
Sample citation from page 9 of Frances E. Dolan’s article, “Listening to Silence”:
“The 1929 film directed by Sam Taylor, starring real-life wife and husband
Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks, lifts these lines from Garrick,”
(Dolan 9).
___Step 5: Write a conclusion using STAC format.
___Step 6: Edit your draft. Check for the following:
___ Thesis clearly explains what you intend to prove
___ All supporting paragraphs are clearly linked to the thesis
___ Five paragraphs
___ Transitions connect each paragraph
___ All sentences have a subject and an active verb
___ Sentences are concise
___ All citations AND WORKS CITED match MLA format
The Purdue Online Writing Lab is an excellent resource for proper MLA
citations: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/
___Step 7: Proofread your draft for typos and simple mistakes
___ Step 8: Print your final copy on clean paper with a Heading that includes:
Your Name, Date, Period, Title of the essay
______________________________________________________________________
Sample Works Cited:
Works Cited
"Blueprint Lays Out Clear Path for Climate Action." Environmental Defense Fund.
Environmental Defense Fund, 8 May 2007. Web. 24 May 2009.
Clinton, Bill. Interview by Andrew C. Revkin. “Clinton on Climate Change.” New York Times.
New York Times, May 2007. Web. 25 May 2009.
Dean, Cornelia. "Executive on a Mission: Saving the Planet." New York Times. New York
Times, 22 May 2007. Web. 25 May 2009.
Ebert, Roger. "An Inconvenient Truth." Rev. of An Inconvenient Truth, dir. Davis Guggenheim.
rogerebert.com. Sun-Times News Group, 2 June 2006. Web. 24 May 2009.
______________________________________________________________________
Part 2: Group scene - In a group of 3-5 students you will create your own melodrama.
Your scene should meet the following requirements:
• 5 minutes
• All members of the group participate in the performance
• Script should be typed and indicate who will play each role
• Include stock characters: Hero, Heroine, Villain, (optional: Aged Parent, Sidekick,
Servant)
• Sensational plot
Part 3: Poster - Create a movie poster that advertises your scene. Be sure to include
the following:
• Title
• Advertising slogan
• Names of the actors involved
• An image of the climax of the scene
Poster Rubric
Criteria
5
4
3
2
Required
Elements
The poster
includes all
required
elements as well
as additional
information.
All required
elements are
included on the
poster.
All but 1 of the
required
elements are
included on the
poster.
Attractiveness
The poster is
exceptionally
attractive in
terms of design,
layout, and
neatness.
The poster is
attractive in
terms of design,
layout and
neatness.
The poster is
The poster is
acceptably
distractingly
attractive though messy or very
it may be a bit poorly designed.
messy.
It is not
attractive.
The poster
shows extreme
damage, or lacks
visible planning.
Graphics Relevance.
All graphics are All graphics are
related to the
related to the
topic and make it topic and most
easier to
make it easier to
understand. All understand.
borrowed
Some borrowed
graphics have a graphics have a
source citation source citation.
All graphics
relate to the
topic. One or
two borrowed
graphics have a
source citation.
Graphics do not
relate to the
topic OR several
borrowed
graphics do not
have a source
citation.
Mechanicals
There are no
There are 1-2
grammar/spellin grammar/spellin
g errors on the g errors
poster
There are more There are more Numerous
than 2 errors in than 2 errors in grammar or
grammar or
grammar or
spelling errors
spelling, but
spelling, some of prevent an
they do not
which affect an understanding of
affect
understanding of the meaning
understanding of the meaning
the meaning
Total___________________/20
Essay Rubric
The poster is
missing some
elements, or
elements are
unclear
1
Some graphics
do not relate to
the topic.
Several
borrowed
graphics have
incomplete
citations.
Several required
elements are
missing or
unclear.
10
8
6
4
2
Command of Essay addresses
Topic
the assignment,
demonstrating
both familiarity
with pertinent
critical issues and
independent
thought.
Essay addresses
the assignment,
both topic and
strategies.
Subject is
Subject is
Essay is not in
clear—although generally clear keeping with
essay misses
but not in
assigned topic
some element of keeping with
and/or
assigned topic assigned topic strategies.
and/or strategies. and/or strategies.
Argumentative Essay shows
Development especially careful
development of
related ideas in
coherent,
sequential
paragraphs.
Essay shows
careful
development of
related ideas in
coherent,
sequential
paragraphs.
Sequence of
Essay relies on
ideas is
unrelated
traceable—
generalizations,
although
vague argument,
paragraphing and uncertain
structure are
information.
faulty.
Essay is not
coherent,
showing little
development
of or
relationship
among ideas.
Organization Student has edited While the student Incomplete
Faulty editing
the essay,
has edited the
editing is evident shows in flawed
ensuring that
essay, some
in excess
sequence of
sentences are
tangential ideas, (summary,
ideas.
forceful and clear unassimilated
unassimilated
and logical.
quotations,
ideas and
needless
accessory
summary, and
information) and
organizational absence (support,
flaws remain.
transitions,
flow).
Student has
neglected to
edit the paper
for content or
paragraph
construction.
Research
Student has
provided at least
two sources with
correct citations
throughout the
essay and a
Works Cited list
at the end
Total ______________/40
While the student Significant errors Student has cited Sources are
has provided two in citations and less than two
unclear or not
sources, there are Works Cited
sources.
credited.
some errors in
the citations or
Works Cited
Performance Rubric
CRITERIA
Required
Elements
Memorization
10
8
The scene
All required
includes all
elements are
required elements included.
as well as
additional
information.
All lines are
All but a few
correct, fluid and lines are correct
display a
and the
command of the monologue is
monologue.
fluid.
6
4
2
All but 1 of the
required
elements are
included.
The scene is
missing some
elements, or
elements are
unclear
Several required
elements are
missing or
unclear.
Some
choppiness and
some lack of
fluidity, needs
more rehearsal.
Monologue is Monologue is not
choppy, many memorized.
line errors,
needs much
more rehearsal.
Characterization Strong choices Good choices are Character is not Limited
Character is not
are made to
made to create constant and/or characterization present.
create character character.
choices were not - breaking of
fully.
strong.
character
during the
monologue.
Diction,
Monologue is
Most of the
Most of the
Trouble hearing Monologue
Projection and easy to
monologue is
monologue is and
cannot be heard
Vocal Variety understand and easy to hear and easy to
understanding or understood
hear. All words understand but understand but the monologue and is monotone.
are clear and loud needs work on needs more
from anywhere
enough to hear one of the
work on two or beyond the
with good vocal following (vocal more of the
front of the
variety.
variety,
following (vocal theatre and/or
projection or
variety,
monologue
diction).
projection or
lacks any vocal
diction).
variety.
Total ________________/40
Project Total ___________________/100