ESSAY 1 – REVIEW

ENG 107 Spring 2026

Professor Benedetto Varotta

Essay 1 Review

Graded Drafts Due: SUN 3/9

Final Drafts Due: One Week After Graded

Assignment: You will each write your own review of an album, TV show, video game, book, or film of your choosing. You may also choose to review “One Battle After Another.” If you choose your own piece to review, you must discuss it with me first. You can review/critique your chosen piece using a specific theme or critique the piece on a technical level. Or both! Reminder: do not simply state why you liked or disliked the piece, tell me why it is good or bad.

Option 1: You will write a 3-5 page written review.

Option 2: You will make an 8-10 minute video essay/review. You must include a written script, as well. There is no specific page requirement for the script. If you choose this option, your video must be uploaded to YouTube, with the link posted in the dedicated forum.

Purpose: To help find your voice, generate ideas and opinions, and put these ideas onto the page in an eloquent manner.

Format: Use the reviews we have read in class, the reviews you analyzed, and your personal reviews as a guide. Your essay should have a clear introduction (thesis/claim, purpose, argument), multiple body paragraphs (reinforcing your thesis), and conclusion (final remarks and argument).

Introduction: Your introduction must introduce the work you are reviewing, and include a clear thesis, purpose, or argument. Please include a small summary or background of your work. Anything you will discuss in detail within your body paragraphs should be mentioned in your introduction.

Body Paragraphs: Each body paragraph should have a clear topic sentence that introduces the argument or theme of the paragraph. Remember organization and flow. This is a review and is not as standard as a five-paragraph essay, but the rules of writing and organization still apply. Your body paragraphs should include evidence for your arguments, using vivid details and descriptions. This is required no matter which route you choose. Think about the lenses you choose (if any) and the information needed to back up your claim.

Conclusion: Do not simply restate your thesis! Instead, identify the most important elements to take away from this discussion. Ask yourself what the significance of this topic is. Consider what you would advise an audience to do in terms of considering the review and deciding whether or not to watch the film, listen to the album, or play the game. Consider how your perspective might change the perspective of your audience when it comes to the film.

Requirements: In addition to fulfilling the task requirements, this paper must be typed, double-spaced, and in Times New Roman font size 12. Maintain 1 margins throughout the paper. If you choose option 1, your paper must be 3-5 pages long. If you choose option 2, your video must be 8-10 minutes in length, and you must upload a script of your video. There is no specific length to your script. Use the MLA heading for this assignment. Also, use MLA style for in-text citations and the Works Cited page. Please note that the Works Cited page does not count toward the three-page minimum.

Late Penalties: If you do not submit a first draft by the deadline, you lose the opportunity to

receive feedback from your peer and you lose the opportunity to participate in the peer-review assignment (which means you will earn a zero for peer review). If you submit a late final paper, you will lose ten points from your grade (approximately one full letter grade). If you miss the deadline, you cannot submit the assignment at all; the grade will permanently remain a zero. Remember that technological issues do not constitute excused lateness. Plan to submit your work early and to test the tools for submission in advance.

Peer Review: You will each peer review each others reviews in class THU 3/5. Your feedback should value grammar, punctuation, focus, flow, craft, and language. You will each print out two copies of your draft and trade it with two other students. I will go more into detail the day of.