In evaluating written work in Cine 700, Introduction to Film Studies, we look for clear organization and focus of ideas, critical analysis of ideas, use of appropriate details to support ideas, and the fluency necessary for graduate-level writing (strong sentence structure, mastery of English idioms, conventional usage and mechanics). We look for well articulated analysis: clarity, coherence, fluency. The mock thesis proposal and other writing assignments should not be hampered by significant problems in the use of English, either at the level of overall organization and argument or at the level of sentence structure.
Proficient writing is fluent, with an appropriate use of idiomatic turns of phrase [* see below]. It has few mechanical errors; the style reflects command of various syntactic forms, is clear and direct, is not choppy, over-colloquial, over-formal, or unfocused. In relation to the mock thesis proposal, this means that the writing offers a context for the idea proposed and identifies the writer's purpose and point of view. The body of the proposal discusses the approach chosen logically and coherently and fleshes out the concept or argument so that its validity as a topic is apparent.
Minimally proficient writing should at least be clear and fluent although it may have more errors in usage (e.g., problems with prepositions, articles, verb endings, apostrophes, and so on) than a more polished effort would have. It may display inconsistencies in style, but the proposal will
still establish a clear thesis or argument. The body of the proposal may be less clearly organized, less cohesive, weaker in logic or in choice of examples and details but still remain clear to the reader.
* The word "idiom" as used here refers to the words or phrases that most speakers of a language customarily or habitually use in a particular way. These uses may not be explained by the major formal grammatical rules - they are simply the way fluent speakers the language. One example :
"I want to go to the movies," NOT "I want going to the movies" or “I want be going movies,” also “He describes the film as `one of the best of the year,’” NOT “He describes film as being recognized for being ‘one of the best of the year’.”
