ÒWHAT IS REAL?Ó ESSAY GRADING PROTOCOL
Updated:25 September 2009
A. PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATIONS
Movie notes included? worth 5 points; -50 points if no No Yes +/-
Submitted on or before due date? -5 points for each day late No Yes -
Comments on Part A: Sub-Total A +
B. CONTENT
1. Each film deals in some way with the question of what is real or true and how one comes to know the Real or the True. What is real? How do you know? How can one distinguish between what is real vs. what is illusory? 1 2 3 4 5
Definition of Reality/Truth
Criteria of knowledge
Characteristics of reality vs. illusion
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2. Each film demonstrates that, at their root, ÒfaithÓ and ÒdoubtÓ do not concern the acceptance or rejection of unproven assertions. Rather, these concepts operate in the realm of interpersonal relationships. What are ÒfaithÓ and ÒdoubtÓ according to the films you viewed? How do they work? Why are both important to being a sane, adult human being? 1 2 3 4 5
Definition of faith
Definition of doubt
Importance of faith
Importance of doubt
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3. In each of these films, there comes a point in the life of the main character when she/he has a breakthrough experience. The personÕs old way of looking at the world has broken down. It no longer makes sense to the person; it no longer Òworks.Ó The character becomes Òdisillusioned,Ó and must achieve a new understanding of life and Òreality.Ó For the two films you viewed, where do you see this happening? How did the character understand life before and after the experience of disillusionment? Explore one of these examples in detail, showing the process of challenge, leading to doubt, and then to a new understanding or ÒvisionÓ of the world. How was this change of worldview significant in the life of this character? How was the personÕs life changed because of it? 1 2 3 4 5
Film 1
Film 2
Detailed example
Discussion of change in worldview & effects
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4. Choose an incident in your own life when something like this has happened to you. What prompted that experience of disillusionment, leading to doubt? How did you arrive at your new vision of life? How is your life different now than it was before this experience? 1 2 3 4 5
Clear & coherent description of experience
Interesting details about development of new vision
Vivid language conveying significance of life-change
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Comments on Part B: Sub-Total B +
C. REFLECTION/EVALUATION
In a few sentences, respond to the following questions. 1 2 3 4 5  
Look back over the experience of writing this essay. What did you find difficult? Easy? What parts of the assignment were particularly helpful to you?
2. How would you change the assignment to make it more effective in uncovering what you believe and why?
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D. FORMAL CHARACTERISTICS
The essay is composed in succinct, formal prose in standard American English. It is completely free of exclusive language and grammatical, syntactical, orthographic, or other scribnerÕs errors. It correctly uses parenthetical citations for scene references. 1 2 3 4 5  
Clear and succinct formal prose free of exclusive language
Syntax, spelling, etc.
Lucid organization, proper paragraphing, necessary citations, etc.
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Overall Comments:



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