AP Language Universal Biographical Film Unit - Movie List, Viewing Guide, Cinema

Looking for a way to engage students and have them critically analyze important historical events, rhetorical situations, and rhetorical strategies? Biographical films are a great way to hook students from the start, but also offer rigorous learning opportunities. This universal film unit contains a list of 100+ biographical movies with G, PG, and PG-13 titles, a parental consent form, universal film viewing guide, and several other activities and projects! Plus - if you teach AP Language and Composition, there is a detailed list of possible FRQ essay prompts (at least one for each film) students can complete to practice for their AP Exam at the end of the year.

Materials Included:

• Teacher File - with suggested procedures and pacing options
• Editable Biographical Films list - complete with over 100 movie titles, each one accompanied by its year, rating, and important historical connections
• Editable AP Language and Composition FRQ pairings (at least one per movie) - synthesis, argument, and rhetorical analysis options are included throughout
• "Cinematic Techniques" Chart - for students to take notes on important strategies used in their chosen movie
• "Historical Context" Worksheet - for students to research their film's historical connections
• "Film Viewing Guide" - to help students critically analyze their chosen movie
• "Biographical Film Speech Activity" - where students will find and analyze a speech that connects to their film
• "Film Trailer" Small Group Project - to have students create their own trailer for the film that showcases its historical connections, main characters, conflicts, and themes (complete with Planning Guide and Rubric)

Implement the whole unit once during the year and/or easily assign the viewing guide as a quarterly assignment, having students choose from films that connect to your quarterly content!

Check out my other AP Language products - a plethora of high-impact and engaging rhetorical analysis, argumentation, and synthesis resources!

Keywords: historical fiction, biography, memoir, movies, cinema, WWI, WWII, the environment, environmentalism, historical figures, American History, European History, SPACE CAT, scientific research, discoveries, societal advancement, adversity, Civil Rights, current controversies, rhetorical analysis, argument, argumentation, rhetoric, appeals, devices, movie trailer, film project