Analysis Paper

Comm 265: Principles of Human Communication

Analysis Paper

Due: Friday, November 30th by 11:59pm

**No assignments will be accepted after the last day of class (Monday, December 3rd)

The communication analysis paper involves analyzing a movie, documentary, or television show by

applying theories/concepts from the course. Even though we usually view film or television for

entertainment, as we think more critically about what we view, we can identify important ideas that

influence our daily lives. No doubt, this is one of the reasons why films, videos, and television

continue to be a popular form of entertainment across a variety of cultures.

This analysis encourages you to synthesize and apply the communication concepts we have discussed

in COMM 265. Your analysis will involve a brief summary of the communication event in the film or

program, an explanation of the theories/concepts selected for use in the paper, an analysis of the

situation through theories of communication, and an assessment of the effectiveness of the

communication represented through the course theories. Chapters typically referenced in the analysis

paper include the following: nonverbal, interpersonal, conflict, culture, and organizational culture.

For the communication analysis paper, you will select one or two course concepts/theories from one of

the chapters covered in class and research them (through scholarly articles and/or books) for more

information. Then, you will discuss and analyze how your chosen concept/theory is depicted in a

specific movie, documentary, or television show. For example, you could analyze how an

organizational communication concept and/or theory is depicted on the TV show The Office. You

could also apply the family conflict climates to discuss how a family in a television show or a movie

manages interpersonal conflict.

FORMAT: The paper must be written in essay format with an introduction, body, transitions, and a

conclusion. The paper must be typed, double-spaced, and proofread for grammatical and typographical

errors. The paper should be 4-5 pages in length (12 point font, 1-inch margins) not including your

references page or a cover page. In general, your paper should contain the following parts:

1) An introduction in which you introduce your topic, explain the purpose of your paper (i.e., provide a thesis statement), and preview the different parts of your paper.

2) A paragraph briefly describing the TV show/movie you have selected and the specific communication event(s) or scene(s) that you are analyzing from the TV show/movie.

a. The description of your TV show or movie should be a very small part of your paper. The purpose of the paper is NOT to tell the story of the film or program. The bulk of

your paper should focus on explaining your concepts and/or theories and analyzing how

they are depicted in your TV show or movie.

3) One or two paragraphs explaining and defining the communication concepts and/or theories that you are applying in the analysis.

4) 2-4 paragraphs discussing and analyzing how your chosen concepts and/or theories are depicted in the communication event from your TV show or movie.

5) A brief conclusion that summarizes the main ideas in your paper and provides a closing statement.

SOURCE REQUIREMENT: You must use at least FIVE scholarly articles and/or books in your

paper when explicating the theories and analyzing the communication event in the TV show or movie.

The course textbook can count as one of your sources; the other four sources must come from the

research you conduct. NOTE: You are allowed to use no more than two direct quotations in your

paper. Further, the direct quotations that you use may not be longer than 40 words each.

In order to meet the expectations of this assignment, please become familiar with

these requirements: 1. The paper should not tell the story of the film or program. The paper should analyze the story

and identify and explain 1-2 communication concepts that are illustrated in events portrayed in

the movie or program.

a. Papers that focus extensively on reviewing the plot of the movie or program and/or fail to identify and apply 1-2 key concepts will earn no more than a “C.”

2. The paper should be at least four but no more than five pages in length. a. No title page is necessary. Please put your name in the upper-left corner of your paper;

no other title or information is needed.

3. The paper should demonstrate organizational, developmental, and mechanical writing skills at the level of sophistication and professionalism appropriate for undergraduate students. Be sure

to edit the paper in order to correct any grammatical or typing errors.

4. The paper should be typed, double-spaced, and use 12-point font with one-inch margins on all four sides.

5. The paper must include at least FIVE scholarly articles or books. When referring to others’ ideas in your paper, be sure to supply appropriate citations using APA format. Please review

the plagiarism guidelines in the syllabus and let me know if you have any questions.

a. Directly quoting an author is sometimes necessary to get an idea across. However, overusing direct quotations can make a paper sound choppy and hurt your credibility as

a writer. Good academic writing involves paraphrasing, summarizing, and synthesizing

others’ ideas.

b. Thus, you are allowed no more than two direct quotations in your paper. Further, the direct quotations that you use may not be longer than 40 words each.

6. Your paper will be graded for style, as well as the thoughtful and thorough nature of your analysis. The rubric on the next page will be used to grade this paper. Use these standards to

guide your writing.

7. The papers are due at 11:59pm on Friday, November 30th, 2018. Late papers will receive a 10% deduction. No papers will be accepted after 11:59pm on December 3rd, 2018.

NOTE: Failure to complete and turn in an analysis paper (or earning a zero) will result in a failing

grade (F) in the course regardless of your final course percentage.

Analysis Paper Evaluation

Paper Element Comments Points

Possible

Points

Earned Description of Communication Event:

The communication event in the film or program is

adequately described.

5

Explanation of 1-2 communication concepts and/or

theories:

At least 1-2 communication concepts and/or theories from

the class are identified. The concepts/theories are clearly

and correctly explained. All relevant aspects, elements, and

principles of the concept/theory are defined.

10

Application of 1-2 concepts and/or theories

The communication concepts and/or theories are

appropriately applied to the communication event(s) in the

film or program. The analysis is appropriate, thoughtful,

and thorough. Ideas and points are supported with detailed

examples from the movie or TV show.

15

Introduction and Conclusion

The paper contains an introduction that introduces the

topic, provides a thesis statement, and previews the parts of

the body of the paper. The conclusion briefly summarizes

the main ideas in the paper and provides a closing

statement.

5

Research & References Page

The paper references at least 5 scholarly sources in correct

APA format. The course text can only count as one of the 5

required sources. No more than 2 direct quotations are used

in the paper, and these quotations do not exceed 40 words

each. A references page using correct APA format is

included.

10

Grammar, Presentation, & Style

The paper is well-organized and mechanically sound with

correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar. The paper has

clearly been edited for any grammatical or typing errors.

Overall, the paper is well-written with complete sentences

and clear expressions so that it is easy to read.

5

Deductions (if necessary)

Paper is late, does not meet the 4-5 page requirement, does

not use correct format (12 point Times New Roman font,

double-spaced, and 1-inch margins), etc.

GRADE: ____________/50