Film Analysis Assignment

Purpose: To encourage you to become critical observers of interpersonal communication skills, choose a movie to review from the suggested film list. After watching the film write a 4-5 page (minimum of 1000 words) paper using these guidelines. All papers must follow APA or MLA guidelines, use Times New Roman font, be double spaced, 12 point font, and 1 inch margins.

Instructions: This assignment is to be completed in three parts (see below). Choose a film from the list provided below. Watch the film and write an analysis paper based on concepts covered in this interpersonal communication class. You may need to watch the film more than once to complete this assignment.

1. In the introductory paragraph, provide the following elements:

• Offer a creative opening for the paper that grabs the reader’s attention.
• Briefly summarize the film. The summary could include: the title, the plot, and the main characters.
• Offer a clear thesis for the essay. A thesis statement explains to the reader how you plan to interpret the subject, tells the reader what to expect from the paper (road map), and answers the ‘so what’ question about how this film can be interpreted using vital interpersonal communication theories and concepts.
• Provide an overview of how the paper will be organized that includes the specific concepts that will be discussed.

1. In the body of the essay, using separate paragraphs, analyze five (5) different interpersonal communication concepts from at least three (3) different chapters that are demonstrated in the movie.

• For each interpersonal concept:
  • Define the concept using the textbook and provide an example from the film that demonstrates the concept. Be specific: describe the character(s) and/or event(s) where the concept is demonstrated and use terms from the text.
  • Evaluate whether the concept is applied effectively or ineffectively (good example or bad example). Take a position and explain why you believe this to be true. First-person language is acceptable.
  • Analyze the consequences of the concept’s effective or ineffective application. Consider short-term and long-term consequences to the character(s) and plot. In other words, project beyond the movie. If the movie continued, or had a sequel, how do you think the consequences would impact the character(s).

What does it mean to analyze?

• When your instructor asks you to write an analysis, don’t panic. All they want is for you to take something apart to see how it works. To write an analysis, think about how each part of something contributes to the success of the whole.
• CAUTION: Make sure that you are not just summarizing the scene from your movie.  Go beyond telling us what you are talking about.  Describe how and why its elements function.
• Summarizing = WHAT Analyzing = HOW & WHY

In addition to using theories from the textbook, utilize at least one credible outside source as part of your analysis of a specific concept/theory. Acceptable sources include the following:

Printed or online scholarly journals, reputable newspapers and magazines, and books. Avoid Wikipedia, blogs, or opinion pieces.

1. The concluding paragraph should summarize your insights regarding interpersonal communication as demonstrated in the film and the major lessons to be learned. Provide a closing sentiment for the essay.

Criteria for Success:

1. Your paper should be at least 4-5 pages. Use the default margins on your computer or make sure you are allowing no more than one inch for margin on any side. This will equate to approximately 1000 to 1250 words. I will check word counts, so creating bigger margins or using larger than 12-point font to meet page length requirements is not helpful.
2. Use evidence to support your answers. Provide specific examples from the movie where concepts were demonstrated.

• Solid “A” papers will offer a strong analysis that is based on examples and detail from the movie and that uses terminology from the text to correctly identify concepts.
• Average “C” papers will offer general statements and vague descriptions from the movie and will lack use of terminology from the text.
• Below average “D” papers will simply provide a “list” of questions with short, underdeveloped answers that make little reference to specifics in the movie or terminology from the text.

1. Be sure your papers are neat, organized and accurate. This will take time.

Here are some theory and/or concept ideas for analysis but not an exhaustive list:

Communication needs                             The transactional model of communication          

Communication misconceptions        Competent communication characteristics

Cognitive complexity                                  Mediated communication

Disinhibition                                                    Hyperpersonal

Self-concept                                                     Reflected appraisal

Social comparison                                         Self-monitoring

Self-esteem                                                      Managing multiple identities (the four facets of self)

Impression management                          Face needs, face threats                                 

Social penetration theory                         Influences on perception

Attribution                                                        Common tendencies in perception      

Perception checking                                    Empathy

Stages of the perception process        Stereotyping

Halo effect                                                        Influences on emotional expression

Guidelines for expressing emotions  Facilitative and debilitative emotions

Emotional fallacies                                      Emotional contagion

Emotional intelligence                              Emotional reappraisal

The symbolic nature of language       The language of responsibility

Naming and identity                                  People-first language

Convergence/divergence                       Code switching

Powerless speech mannerisms           Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis

Culture and language                               Types of nonverbal communication

Gestures                                                           Mediated messages and nonverbal communication

Paralanguage                                       Nonverbal messages and haptics, proxemics, appearance

Social norms and nonverbal cues       Listening vs. hearing

Types of ineffective listening                 Why we don’t listen better

How to listen better                                    Listening responses

Paraphrasing                                                   Empathizing

Why we form relationships                    Knapp’s Model

Dialectical tensions                                    Culture and relationships

Relational transgressions                       Dimensions of intimacy

Family communication patterns         Social media and friendship

Love Languages                                             Romantic relationships and self-disclosure

Conflict styles                                                Gottman’s Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

Collaborative problem solving

Resources: Here are some film ideas for analysis. If you chose a film that is not listed below, you must gain instructor approval before moving forward with your paper.

10 Things I Hate About You (PG-13)               50 First Dates (PG-13)

A League of their Own (PG)                                   About a Boy (PG-13)

Arrival (PG-13)                                                           The Big Sick (R)

Blue Valentine (R)                                                      Boyhood  (R)

Boys Don’t Cry (R)                                                      Boyz in the Hood (R)

The Break-Up (PG-13)                                            Cast Away (PG-13)                                          

Catch Me If You Can (PG-13)                              Crazy Rich Asians (PG-13)

Dead Man Walking (R)                                            Dead Poet’s Society (PG)

Dear White People (R)                                             The Devil Wears Prada (PG-13)

Edward Scissorhands (PG-13)                             Get Out (R)                

The Help (PG-13)                                                        Her (R)

Hitch (PG-13)                                                                I, Tanya (R)

The Imitation Game (PG-13)                                It’s a Wonderful Life (PG-13)

Julie and Julia (PG)                                                     The Lake House (PG)

Lars and the Real Girl (PG-13)                             Leap Year (PG-13)

Little Women (PG)                                                       Lost in Translation ((R)

Marriage Story (R)                                                       Mean Girls (PG-13)

Million Dollar Baby (PG-13)                                  Murphy’s Romance (PG-13)

Must Love Dogs (PG-13)                                          Nell (PG-13)

The Notebook (PG-13)                                              Notting Hill (PG-13)

Patch Adams (PG-13)                                                The Pursuit of Happyness (PG-13)  

Rain Man (R)                                                                   Roma  (R)

Shallow Hal (PG-13)                                                  Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (PG)

Sleepless in Seattle (PG-13)                                   Spanglish (PG-13)

The Terminal (PG-13)                                                Transamerica (R)

The Wedding Planner (PG-13)                             When Harry Met Sally (R)                    

You’ve Got Mail (PG)

Note: When selecting a movie, consider how it is influenced by interpersonal communication concepts such as mediated communication; identity and self-concept; perception; emotions; language; nonverbal communication; listening; conflict and conflict resolution; and friendships, work relationships; family dynamics, and romantic relationships.

If you want to analyze a movie that is not on this list, just send me an email with an argument as to how it is appropriate for interpersonal communication concepts. I am happy to consider alternatives.