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. 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. 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 specifi ...

1. 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.
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.

2. 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.
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

3. (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

4. concept/theory. Acceptable sources include the following:
Printed or online scholarly journals, reputable newspapers and
magazines, and books. Avoid Wikipedia, blogs, or opinion
pieces.
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:
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.
Use evidence to support your answers. Provide specific
examples from the movie where concepts were demonstra ted.
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

5. 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.
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)

6. 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

7. 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:

8. 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)

9. Boyhood
(R)
Boys Don’t Cry
(R)
Boyz in the Hood (
R)
The Break-Up
(PG-13) C
ast Away
(PG-13)
C
atch Me If You Can (
PG-13)
Crazy Rich Asians
(PG-13)
Dead Man Walking
(R)
Dead Poet’s Society
(PG)
Dear White People
(R) T

10. he 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)

11. 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)

12. 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) T
he Pursuit of Happyness
(PG-13)
Rain Man
(R)
Roma (
R)
Shallow Hal
(PG-13)

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;

14. 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.