Film Analysis Reaction Paper
For your Film Analysis Paper please select a move to analyze from an Interpersonal Communication Perspective.
PURPOSE: For this assignment you will watch your own chosen film/documentary, take notes, reflect on your observations, and apply communication concepts you learned from our class to analyze the communication situations found. Apply communication theories and concepts learned throughout the semester. In your paper pay attention to the communication concepts you have learned over the course of the semester.
FORMAT REQUIREMENTS:
This paper should be approximately 2 to 4 pages in length, typewritten, 12 point font size, 1 inch margins, double spaced, proofread, and your own work.
With this paper, you will need to turn in a typed reference page of your sources written in MLA format.
Your paper should be well organized and easy to follow. You must research your topic well. It is important to be ethical in your writing. Part of this will involve using accurate and current information that is well researched.
To support your analysis, incorporate quotes and examples from the film/documentary, key concepts from your textbook, and other credible communication sources. For this paper you will need at least 4 credible sources. They must be cited in-text and cited in your reference page. You may not receive credit for questionable sources (Wikipedia, .com websites, blogs, etc.) so be sure to check their credibility and reliability.
Your paper is due in a traditional, college-level essay structure. Please include:
- An introduction with a thesis statement,
Body paragraphs that elaborate on your main ideas,
- A conclusion with a thoughtful reflection on your main points as well as any insights you gained as a result of your analysis.
- You will need to watch the film multiple times: (Below is just an Idea for how to complete this assignment)
- Brain Storm: As you are coming up with what film/documentary to watch, ask yourself the following questions.
Why do you like the film?
What draws you to this particular film?
- What do you think the film is trying to say?
How do you think the film does this?
First Watch: Just watch the film. Do not take notes, sit back and relax and try to understand the basic elements of the film. Get into the plot line, scene, summary of the film.
- Brain Storm: After you have watched the film, take some time to jot down notes of concepts, themes, ideas that jumped out at you. (This is for the film analysis portion of your paper)
- What techniques are used in this film?
- How do these techniques linked to the plot?
How do these techniques support the tone, ideas, and theme of the plot?
Second Watch: Bring writing materials and throughout the film take pauses to jot down notes that confirm, or bring you to new light to your analysis. This is when you want to start looking for what Interpersonal Communication Concepts are showing up in your film.
Brain Storm: Take your notes and compare them to your original brain storm notes. At this point, go through lecture slides and chapter readings to see if you can tie any of the things you are seeing in the film to your course reading. Pick at least 3 or 4 themes/concepts/ideas that you can look at or would like to add into your analysis.
Third Watch: Bring your writing material and see if you can identify the course concepts you would like to write about playing out in the film you are watching. Find examples of where they show up in the film.
YOU MAY HAVE TO WATCH THE FILM MORE TIMES!
- How to write a reaction paper to a documentary or film