I copied and pasted the instructions for this assignment below. I chose to do the paper on the 1998 version of The Parent Trap movie. I also provided a link with the chapter you are to reference and use for this assignment.
TV/Film Critique
50 points
3-4 pages double-spaced
You will analyze a TV show or film, approval required at least one week in advance, that is
relevant to what you are learning about families in our class. Your best choice is a film with
which you are not incredibly familiar, don’t choose your favorite film or the one featuring your
favorite actor – come at this assignment with a fresh set of eyes. You will analyze the
show/movie as a case study using a specific communication theory (of your choice from the
book and/or articles discussed) and at least 5 distinct concepts from multiple units/chapters.
When organizing your essay, consider the following:
Introduction
o Please include a brief overview of the film including screenwriter, director, and year
of release. See APA 7th edition manual for citing television shows or feature length
films.
o Set the stage for your paper, including a brief synopsis of your theory of interest and
the family/families you will be analyzing based on your theory. Make sure your
thesis/purpose is clear in the introduction.
o Your thesis statement should go beyond the idea that you are using a theory to analyze
a family. Think about the key take away that you can argue after analyzing the family
based on the theory (e.g., can we understand something new about the family based on
viewing it through the lens of your theory?).
Explanation of theory (using scholarly research on your theory)
o You need to explain your theory, defining terms and propositions related to it. For
example, if I am studying uncertainty reduction theory, I need to describe the theory,
the relevant variables (e.g., uncertainty, similarity, liking), and propositions related to
those variables (e.g., uncertainty is negatively related to similarity). You should cite at
least one scholarly journal article in addition to your book and articles assigned in
class.
o Highlight key findings you have learned about your theory (e.g., intercultural
communication increases uncertainty, based on dissimilarity).
o In this section, you are going beyond the brief statement about your theory in the
introduction. You are showing off your understanding of the theory. Be sure you
define any/all variables/concepts that you will be using to analyze the family.
Family Analysis: Use the theory to analyze the family.
o Use specific (and concise) examples from your “case study” to highlight different
points regarding your theory. You will help your reader better understand your theory
using the TV/movie family as a case study.
o You will critique the behaviors (and/or functionality) of your TV/movie family using
scholarly research (and book) on your theory. Think clearly about what you see in
your chosen family’s communication patterns and how they relate with what the
scholarly research findings (and theories) show or claim.
o Consider the relevance of this film to society and its multiple audiences. What is the
importance of the depiction of these family related issues? How well are those issues
communicated in the film? What works? What would you suggest could have been
done better?
o Offer your evaluation of the family, using your analysis and critique of the theory to
make any conclusions (hint: think about thesis statement here).
Conclusion: Tie back to your overall purpose/thesis and conclude your essay.
o Consider what theoretically-driven advice you could offer the family in terms of their
communication, behaviors, maintenance, intimacy, functionality (or whatever is
relevant to the outcomes considered as part of your theory).
Use these questions as a guide as you write your critique of the TV/movie family or families.
Your essay should be 3-4 pages double-spaced. You should use scholarly sources for your
theory/concepts and APA 7th edition formatting (in-text and reference page citations). This
paper is due to D2L in fully edited, clean format no later than 11:59pm on the due date.
Ask questions early! If you haven’t seen me explicitly state something here, you have the
freedom to decide for yourself, but I’m here to help
