HAMLET – SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT:
Argumentative Essay
Persuasive Media Project
TASK ONE: Argumentative Essay – 550-700 words
Early Submission Deadline: Monday, March 9
DEADLINE: Wednesday, March 11
Create an original argumentative essay which addresses one of the essay questions below. It must
contain the standard features of a formal essay, including a well-formulated thesis statement,
appropriate organization, specific examples and quotations, and a ‘Works Cited’ page.
Your essay must demonstrate the skills from the unit. Please ensure that you look closely at the
rubric and at the feedback from your group essay.
ESSAY TOPICS
Despite his frequent assurances that he is committed to avenging the death of his father, Hamlet
seems to have difficulty realizing this goal. Why does Hamlet delay his revenge?
As in many of Shakespeare’s plays, the women of Hamlet are frequently cast in a negative light.
Discuss the portrayal of Gertrude OR Ophelia and the function of this portrayal in the play.
(You may use both characters in your essay, provided it is not a comparative essay. Please clear this with me.)
Discuss the use of comedy in Hamlet, paying particular attention to comic characters (e.g. Polonius,
the gravediggers, Osric). Beyond relieving the tension of the tragedy, what deeper thematic
purpose does comedy serve in the play?
TASK TWO: Persuasive Media Project – STORYBOARD FOR HAMLET FILM TRAILER
Early Submission Deadline: Monday, March 23
DEADLINE: Wednesday, March 25
Create a storyboard for an original movie trailer which persuasively promotes your film version of
‘Hamlet’. You may use illustrations, graphics and/or photographs.
Write one paragraph to support your storyboard which clearly communicates how your
film/production will use the language of film to create a concept and appeal to a target audience.
Your work must demonstrate:
∙ appeal to your target audience
∙ a concept for your version of Hamlet - which of course should appeal to your audience
∙ skill in using the ‘language’ of film (Don’t forget about sound/music as well!)
∙ storyboard conventions
Please review your media response feedback and the rubric before completing this task.
NAME:_________________________________
RUBRIC – Hamlet, Prince of Denmark Essay
Level 1
Knowledge and Understanding
demonstrates
Understanding of
limited
topic and content
understanding of
the events, symbols,
language, themes
of the work
Level 2
demonstrates some
understanding of
the events, symbols,
language, themes
of the work
Thinking – the use of creative thinking skills/processes
Uses the writing
Uses the writing
Use of the Writing
process
with
limited
process with some
Process
(e.g. generating ideas,
using an outline, creating
drafts, proofreading,
refining writing)
effectiveness; there
is limited evidence
of a process or
improvement in the
work
effectiveness; ideas
and language are
somewhat
improved at each
stage
Ideas are frequently
unclear and
disorganised;
limited evidence of
formal essay
structure
Ideas are
somewhat clearly
organised; some
evidence of formal
essay structure
Level 3
Level 4
demonstrates
considerable
understanding of
the events, symbols,
language, themes
of the work
demonstrates consistent
and in depth
understanding of the
events, symbols,
language, themes of the
work
Uses the writing
process with
considerable
effectiveness; ideas
and language are
improved at each
stage
Uses the writing process
highly effectively; ideas
and language are
developed and refined at
each stage
Ideas are well
organised; good
evidence of formal
essay structure
Ideas are very well
organised; uses formal
essay structure highly
effectively
Usually accurate or
appropriate to
character
Almost always accurate
or highly appropriate to
character
Writing shows
considerable
fluency/flow;
sentence length
and structure are
varied
Writing is highly fluent;
Sentences are varied and
often complex
Thesis is clear and
complete and
shows considerable
depth
Thesis is clear, complete
and shows a high degree
of depth
Arguments and
ideas are usually
supported with
concrete evidence;
quotations are
usually attributed
properly
Arguments and ideas are
well supported with
concrete evidence;
quotations are
consistently attributed
properly
Communication
Organisation and
structure (including
paragraphing,
topic/concluding
sentences, introductory/
concluding paragraphs))
Use of Grammar,
Spelling and
Punctuation
Fluency and
Sentence variety
Limited accuracy or
not appropriate to
character
Somewhat
accurate or
generally
appropriate to
character
Writing shows
limited fluency/flow;
limited variety in
sentence structure
and/or length
Writing shows some
fluency/flow; there
is some variety in
sentence structure
and/or length
Thesis is unclear and
incomplete
Thesis is fairly clear
and contains
several main
elements
Arguments and
ideas are rarely
supported with
concrete evidence;
quotations are
rarely attributed
Arguments and
ideas are
sometimes
supported with
concrete evidence;
some effort has
been made to
attribute quotations
Application
Thesis statement
(clear, concise, states
author/work, plan for
development, goes into
depth to answer how or
why)
Evidence
(effective use of evidence
and appropriate citation)
Comments:
NAME:_________________________________
RUBRIC – Hamlet, Prince of Denmark Storyboard
Level 1
Level 2
Knowledge and Understanding
demonstrates
demonstrates
Understanding of
limited
some
topic and content
understanding of
understanding of
the events,
the events,
themes, ideas of
themes, ideas of
the work
the work
Thinking – the use of creative thinking skills/processes
Level 3
Level 4
demonstrates
considerable
understanding of
the events,
themes, ideas of
the work
demonstrates
consistent and in
depth understanding
of the events, themes,
ideas of the work
Creative and
Original Thought
The trailer and
concept
demonstrate
limited creativity or
originality
The trailer and
concept
demonstrate a
somewhat original
and creative
approach to the
play.
The trailer and
concept
demonstrate an
original and
creative
approach to the
play.
The trailer and concept
demonstrate a highly
original and creative
approach to the play.
Audience
Audience is not
very clear;
Limited use of
persuasion/appeal
Audience is
somewhat clear;
Some use of
persuasion/appeal
Audience is clear
and the trailer is
persuasive/
appealing
Audience is clear and
the trailer is highly
persuasive/appealing
to the audience
Storyboard
Storyboard format
is not used; the
storyboard
communicates the
trailer with limited
clarity
Storyboard format
is partially used;
the storyboard
communicates the
trailer with some
clarity
Storyboard
format is used
correctly; it
communicates
the trailer with
considerable
clarity
Storyboard format is
consistently used; the
storyboard
communicates the
trailer with a high
degree of clarity
Concept
Limited evidence
of a production
concept
Some evidence of
a clear production
concept
Considerable
evidence of a
clear production
concept
Evidence of a
sophisticated
production concept
which reflects the
themes of the play
Language of Film
Language of film
has been applied
with limited
effectiveness
Language of film
has been applied
with some
effectiveness
Language of film
has been applied
with considerable
effectiveness
Language of film has
been applied with a
high degree of
effectiveness
Communication
Application
Comments: