Presentation: Analysis of a Movie

Due Dates: last day of class and final exam class

Description:

A 7-9 minute speech that analyzes a science fiction film (film choices below).

Criteria for analysis may include, but does not need to cover all of the points below:

  • How the film reflects the values and beliefs of the culture in which it was created
  • How the film connects to any stories, themes, or ideas we’ve explored this semester
  • How the film was culturally received
  • How characters in the film develop
  • Who might want to watch this film and why (try to go beyond “it’s entertaining” or “it’s funny” etc.)
  • How the film connects to today’s viewers (Is it still relevant? Is it outdated? Does it connect to people differently today than when it was created? Will it be relevant / watched in ten years time?)

Your speech should include the following things:

  • An introduction with main point
  • Body
  • Conclusion
  • At least one secondary source (can be from Internet or library)
  • A Works Cited page
  • A visual aid (can be Power Point, a video clip—though clips should not run over 2:30 minutes, a website, a costume, etc.)

What to turn in to me:

  • On the day of your speech turn in your Works Cited page with your full name on the top.

Films from which to choose:

  1. Avatar ______
  2. Soylent Green______
  3. E.T. ______
  4. I, Robot______
  5. Total Recall______
  6. War of the Worlds______
  7. Close Encounters of the Third Kind______
  8. Alien______
  9. Aliens______
  10. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind______
  11. Bladerunner______
  12. Inception______
  13. Back to the Future______
  14. The Day the Earth Stood Still______
  15. Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back______
  16. Terminator______
  17. Terminator 2______
  18. Iron Man______
  19. Iron Man 2______
  20. The Matrix______
  21. The Stepford Wives ______
  22. District 9______
  23. Twelve Monkies______
  24. Independence Day______
  25. The Abyss______
  26. Farenheit 451______
  27. The Truman Show______
  28. Jurassic Park______
  29. The Fly______
  30. Batman______

Speech Rubric

Truly superior / Excellent / Acceptable / Needing work / Lets not do this type of Speech
Thesis - Introduction / Sparks interest for the listener. Fully anticipates the analysis to come – with thesis statement and an clear indication of the major ideas or questions the presentation will address / Creates interest for the listener. Mostly anticipates the analysis to come – with thesis statement and an indication of major ideas or questions the paper will address / Establishes some kind of viewpoint on the content – some indication of the major ideas or questions the speech will address / Merely announces the topic, little indication of the major ideas or questions the speech will address / Speech begins with no easily identifiable thesis statement or indication of the overall direction of the speech
Organization / Flows seamlessly from Introduction to conclusion with an obvious logical progression of ideas and smooth transitions / Flows logically from introduction to conclusion with generally good transitions / Points flow logically from introduction to conclusion but transitions are awkward / Discernable pattern/direction of material / Wanders through the subject with little or no apparent direction
Conclusion - Summary / Does a superior job of demonstrating how the speech has addressed the major questions or ideas in the thesis statement / Does an excellent job of showing how the speech has addressed the major questions or ideas in the thesis statement / Provides some indication of how the speech has addressed the major questions or ideas in the thesis statement / Does not clearly indicate how the speech has addressed the major questions or ideas in the thesis statement / Speech ends with no summary or revisiting the thesis of the paper.
Knowledge / Demonstrates superior comprehension of all relevant material; pushes beyond it to consider deeper implications / Demonstrates full command of all relevant material; makes connections between different parts of material / Addresses all assigned content in a manner that uses the material accurately but without great depth or with minor misunderstandings / Addresses most assigned content, but with little development or accurate grasp of it / Fails to address most or all of assigned content, or does so in a manner that indicates little or no command of it.
Style / Articulate, lively and interesting for the audience. Generally very engaging throughout / Articulate, clear and engaging to the audience / Reasonably clear and articulate, but may be difficult to follow at times / Clear and articulate in some areas, but limited by wordiness or disorganization in others, so that the overall effect is not engaging / So disorganized, wordy, or awkward as to make the speech a chore to listen to.
Mechanics / Excellent vocal inflection, volume, and pacing, no audible pauses, speech does not exceed time limits, / Good vocal inflection, pacing and volume, few audible pauses, speech does not exceed time limits / Adequate vocal inflection, pacing, and volume, some audible pauses, speech does not significantly exceed time limits / Acceptable vocal inflection, pacing, and volume, or many audible pauses, or speech exceeds time limits / Monotone or very quiet voice, many audible pauses, speech significantly exceeds time limit
Visual Aids / Superior use of visual aids to significantly enhance the quality of the presentation and the audience’s comprehension of the ideas being presented / Excellent use of visual aids to enhance the quality of the presentation and the audience’s comprehension of the ideas being presented / Adequate use of visual aids to enhance the quality of the presentation and the audience’s comprehension of the ideas being presented / Minimally acceptable use of visual aids or visual aids sometimes become a distraction for the speaker or audience / Poor use of visual aids, visual aids detract from the presentation, or visual aids not used when appropriate