Film Analysis Essay Assignment

1. The film analysis essay must have a clear introduction. The introduction should contain an attention-getter; a statement of topic (e.g. “This analysis is about The Waterboy.”); a statement of purpose (e.g. to inform, to persuade or to entertain); a thesis that makes a judgment about the value of the film for what it teaches us about communication; and a preview of your main ideas (the 3-5 key concepts or theories you’ll cover).
2. The body of the essay should be paragraphed to reflect your main ideas. Do not simply summarize or write a ‘book report’ of the plot of the film. Instead, your main ideas and supporting ideas should be chosen and organized to demonstrate your understanding of 3 – 5 key concepts or theories from this unit. Link the key concepts or theories to scenes from the film, and cite your text as you do so. You should also make reference to one external source as you analyze the film. The external source can be about the film (actor or director interviews, plot summaries, encyclopedia entries) or about the interpersonal communication concept you are discussing (CommunicationTheory.org, Very Well Mind, Psychology Today, etc.). You need 3-5 concepts/theories from the list at the end of this page.
3. The essay should have a conclusion. Conclusions need a restatement of the thesis and purpose from the introduction, a review of the main ideas, and a closing statement. A suggestion for thinking about how to conclude a paper is to answer the question “So What?” In other words, how can this film/concept help me/others in our relationships or communication behaviors?
4. The entire essay should be a minimum of 600 words.
5. Your essay should include (as a separate page) a Words Cited page with the textbook, the film, and at least one additional source you used to support your analysis. Use MLA format.
6. Give your essay the following header:
[Your name]
eCore COMM 1100
[Date]
[Film title]
Key Concepts/Theories (your essay should clearly address 3 – 5 of these as seen in the Film):
Interpersonal conflict
Managing Emotions
Self –Disclosure
Social Judgment Theory
Social Comparison Theory
Family Rituals
Stages of Relationship Development – Romantic
Stages of Relationship Development – Friendship
Gender Norms and Impact on Relationships
Managing Cultural Differences in Relationships
Love Display
Identity Management Strategies
Social Exchange Theory
Select from one of the following classic or contemporary films for the film analysis:
The film list below, updated in 2020, includes Romantic Comedies, Dramas, and relationship-driven films. Some are fairly new and some are several decades old. You are not required to view all of these films. You are only required to choose one of these films to inform your essay. Some of the films below will have profanity, mention or use of alcohol or drugs, sex or sexually suggestive content, or violence. If something on this list is not your preferred genre, content, rating, or style – don’t pick that one for your analysis!
Juno
Stepbrothers
Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist
Can’t Hardly Wait
Save the Last Dance
Pleasantville
The Fault in Our Stars
Bad Moms
Talladega Nights
The Edge of Seventeen (2016 version)
He’s Just Not That Into You
Knocked Up
500 Days of Summer
This is 40
The Five Year Engagement
Office Space
Groundhog Day
Moonlight
10 Things I Hate About You
Say Anything
Braveheart
The Duchess
Mr. Holland’s Opus
What Women Want
Sex and the City 1
Pride and Prejudice
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner
Sound of Music
The Secret Garden
First Knight
Footloose
Colombiana
Avatar
The Proposal
Hitch
Men of Honor
Sense and Sensibility
Artificial Intelligence
The Breakfast Club
The Devil Wears Prada
The Blindside
Nanny McPhee
Gran Torino
Sleeping with the Enemy
27 Dresses
Good Will Hunting
Four Feathers
Steel Magnolias
The Color Purple
Crash

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