French Cultural Activity

nstructions

Here are the instructions for completing your first cultural activity. Cultural Activity #1

You will submit, via attachment, a report on the videos below.

1. Type and double-space your report using Times New Roman font at a size of 12 points.

2. Write between 300 and 500 words. Do a word count and enter the result at the end of your document.

3. Give your report a relevant, interesting title. “Cultural Activity #1” or “Video” do not constitute good titles.

4. Your report should include an introduction, development, and conclusion.

5. Write in proper English, in full sentences, with as few grammar mistakes as possible. This report is not a text message to a friend.

6. Your written expression should demonstrate a rather mature and sophisticated command of the English vocabulary.

If any of the requirements above stipulated is missing from your work you will lose credit. Grading Criteria for Cultural Activities are located at the end of this document.

Preparation and Writing Process

1. Take notes that you will use to write your report.

2. In the report, make sure you have an attractive title and respond to the questions asked about the videos.

3. In your development, expand on the notes you took and make sure you give your personal opinion on the subject. I’m interested in your reactions to the videos.

4. Once the report is written, read it again to make sure there are no typos, grammatical mistakes, or anything that could make it difficult for your reader to read and/or understand what you wrote.

Comparison of Paris videos

Watch this video produced by the Mairie de Paris (city hall) to entice tourists to visit the city. It was originally called “Paris, je t’aime” (Paris, I love you).

• What image of Paris are they selling here? What impressions does it give you of the city? Does it fit your idea of Paris? What do you notice about the people, music, shots, locations shown?

Some Parisians were not happy with the video, so they made a response called “Paris, on t’aime aussi” (Paris, we love you too). Watch the video and respond to the questions.

• What elements in this video are a direct response to the first video? Do you notice similarities? Differences? Think about the people, music, locations, and activities.
• Compare the two videos: How is the image of Paris different in the second video? Why do you think Parisians were unhappy with the first video? Which version of Paris is more attractive to you? Which would you like to visit and why? How can the two videos together teach us something about what Paris is “really” like?
• Add any other thoughts you’d like to.

Grading Criteria

Cultural activities are graded on content, engagement, organization, grammar, vocabulary, and creativity.

Grade of 90-100: Work is clearly delineated, with an attractive title, introduction, development, and conclusion. The student answers all the questions and includes thoughtful reflections on the videos. No major grammatical errors, excellent control of the vocabulary. Content appropriate to the assignment, well-thought, and creative.

Grade of 70-89: Work lacks clarity for several of the reasons that follow: Some elements missing (attractive title, introduction, strong development, or conclusion); some questions unanswered; too many repetitions; work not demonstrating a good grasp of the subject studied; some major grammatical errors; rather poor vocabulary. Work, however, remains creative, fairly well-thought, and appropriate to the assignment.

Grade of 50-69: Work lacks coherence and creativity for several of the reasons that follow: Point of view given but reasons behind student’s choices and examples to sustain this point of view are unclear or missing; insufficient length; frequent major and minor grammatical errors; confused and/or contradictory meaning; frequent repetitions of words and/or ideas; substantial vocabulary mistakes interfering with comprehension; style too simplistic for level. Work remains appropriate to assignment and only some questions were answered.

Grade of 0-49: Work totally incoherent; work not appropriate to assignment; work turned in too late; total lack of clarity; point of view not given and reasons behind student’s choices not stated; examples lacking; no effort to make work a creative one; no questions answered; insufficient length; numerous major and minors grammatical errors; vocabulary too repetitious and quite poor for the level.