Choose one of the following legal system related films to watch and review. (You may choose a different film with my approval)
• 12 Angry Men
• Shawshank Redemption
• The Accused
• The Client
• Just Mercy
• A Time to Kill
• To Kill a Mockingbird
• Erin Brockovich
• A Few Good Men
• The Pelican Brief
This assignment is intended to require you to engage in critical thinking and logical reasoning as well as
to further assist you in developing your written communication skills. These films were chosen to show
how particular aspects of the legal system are portrayed in film as well and provide the opportunity for
legal terminology recognition. You are required to submit a paper reacting to and critiquing these films.
Each paper will include three parts a Reaction, Critique, and a Legal term list.
Part 1 Reaction:
A reaction paper is just what its name suggests—a paper explaining your reaction to a film. It may be like
a review, because your reaction may involve judgment or evaluation; it may be like an analysis, because
your reaction may focus on a particular character, relationship, scene, or film technique. It may also like
a journal entry, in that it presents a personal reaction rather than an attempt to provide either definitive
judgments or detailed analysis. It differs from a journal entry, though, in that it is a more formal essay,
prepared for an audience. Like any good essay, your reaction paper should develop one primary idea or
perception, support it with evidence and present both ideas and evidence in clear language and a logical
order.
The first part of the essay should include a reaction to each film. These essays should reflect a careful
consideration about what you think or feel about what you have seen. While you are watching the films,
think about the following questions:
• How do you feel about what you are watching?
• What do you agree or disagree with?
• Can you identify with the movie or characters in the movie?
• How do you evaluate the situation in general?
• What did you find striking, illuminating or peculiar about the film?
Part 2 Critique:
The second part of your essay should include a critique of the film, in terms of how well the film
portrayed the legal system. While you are watching the films, think about the following questions:
• In what ways does the film accurately portray the aspect of law it depicts, in your opinion?
• In what ways does the film fall short of recreating the aspect of legal it depicts, in your opinion,
and what would you have done differently?
• If you did not know anything about the legal system, how would this film (good or bad) affect
your perceptions about the legal system, lawyers, crime, or victims?
Part 3 Legal Terms
As you watch the movie, create a running list of legal terms that you hear. In this section list the words
and write the definition of each.
Papers must be:
• 3-5 pages in length
• Double-spaced, 12-point font, Times New Roman
• Must be produced in Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx format)
• No cover page – header should include course information and your name
• You should identify the film’s title, director, and date of release, as well as principal actors.
Throughout the paper, the film’s title should be underlined
• In-text citations and a reference page should be included
• Proofread carefully: grammar, spelling, mechanics, citations, etc. will be part of your grade
• Must be submitted as an attachment in Blackboard in the assignment section
• Since a reaction paper describes your own reaction to a film, it is appropriate to use first person
(I, me, my, mine) occasionally. But remember that the paper is primarily about the film, not
about the writer
Grading Criteria: 100 points
Content (up to 20 points)
• Is there a clear-cut thesis statement that controls the direction of the paper and limits the scope
of the ideas presented in it?
• Are the ideas presented in an orderly sequence that makes sense?
• Does the paper have a lively introduction that invites further reading?
• Does the paper have a definite conclusion that draws the ideas together and leaves the reader
satisfied?
Development (up to 30 points)
• Are all required sections (Part 1,2,3) complete and included in the paper?
• Are the ideas explored adequately within the limits established by the thesis statement?
• Does the paper avoid excessive plot summary?
• Does the paper offer sufficient detail or enough examples drawn from the film itself to clarify
major points and make them convincing?
• Is the paper’s language accurate and effective in making ideas and evidence clear?
Mechanics (up to 10 points)
• Does the paper demonstrate control over the essential elements of grammar?
• Are the sentences clear and smooth?
• Has the paper avoided major grammatical errors (such as sentence fragments, comma splices,
fused or run-together sentences, subject-verb agreement errors, verb form errors)?
Formatting (20 points)
• Does the format of the paper match the instructions for the assignment (proper heading; double
spacing; underlining or italicizing of film titles; inclusion of movie’s date, director, and main
actors)?
• 3-5 pages in length
• Double-spaced, 12-point font, Times New Roman
• Must be produced in Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx format)
• No cover page – header should include course information and your name
• You should identify the film’s title, director, and date of release, as well as principal actors.
Throughout the paper, the film’s title should be underlined
• In-text citations and a reference page should be included
Legal Term Identification (20 points)
• Is there a minimum of 15 legal terms identified in the movie?
• Are all legal terms defined correctly?
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