Media Analysis Paper Guidelines
Student Learning Outcomes:
Examine relationship processes and theories and apply them to different relationship types
Analyze personal communication behaviors and develop a skill set to become a competent communicator
Assignment Overview
To demonstrate that you understand and are able to apply the concepts we have learned thus far, you will pick one TV series from the below list, watch at least one episode (or more if needed), and then write a paper demonstrating your knowledge. This provides a way for you to observe and analyze the various types of interpersonal relationships and the theories of others’ behaviors when in those relationships. Please do not include characters/examples from more than one TV series. For example, if you choose to watch Parenthood, all of the examples you include in your paper should be from that show. You can, however, pick which (and how many) episodes from Parenthood you want to use/discuss.
If you haven’t already done so, please review the video instructions for this assignment as well. Plain text URL: https://use.vg/Cncwy3
Approved Television Series (select only one to write about in this paper):
This Is Us – available at This Is Us (opens in new window).
Plain text: https://www.nbc.com/this-is-us?nbc=1
Chicago Fire – available at Chicago Fire (opens in new window)
Plain text: https://www.nbc.com/chicago-fire/episodes
Parenthood – available on Hulu or (for free) on Peacock
Assignment Directions
You will need to apply the terms and concepts covered in our textbook to the characters and relationships in the TV show you choose to view. Please include the following (as well as the items listed on the rubric) and use the following format:
Introduction: Discuss the thesis of the paper and preview the main points you will cover in the body of the paper. (Please also identify the TV show you’ve chosen to analyze.) Hint: If you need help identifying the thesis of the paper, consider the purpose of the assignment and create a statement focusing on what you hope to demonstrate about the presence of interpersonal communication in all relationships, by analyzing relationships both on TV and in real life.
Body:
Nonverbal Messages: Chapter 7 discusses the many ways that we communicate nonverbally. Define and discuss at least one type of nonverbal message from the text and discuss how it is important to the communication you observe between two characters in the video you choose to watch. How do the characters’ nonverbal messages impact or reflect the tone and climate of the relationship in that particular scene? (Be sure to use specific class terms and provide specific examples from the video.)
Types of Listening: Chapter 8 focuses on listening. We know that listening is important in any interpersonal relationship. Consider the Types of Listening Responses discussed on pages 220-235. Identify at least one type of response you observe in the video, define it, and then discuss how it is being enacted by a character in the video. Do you think this was the correct listening response for this character? Did it help or hurt the situation? If it was an appropriate listening response, discuss how it helped the situation. If it was inappropriate, what could they have done differently. (Be sure to use specific class terms and provide specific examples from the video.)
Types of Love/ Friendship: Chapter 11 discusses both romantic love and friendship.
Identify a “couple” (they can be friends or love interests) from your show and EITHER 1) Consider the Types of Friendship listed on pages 305-306 and identify at least one type of friendship you observe; OR 2) Consider the sevenTypes of Love illustrated in figure 11.3 and identify at least one type of love you observe. Explain why you think that couple meets the criteria for that type of love/friendship. (Be sure to use specific class terms and provide specific examples from the video.)
Personal Application of Listening/ Nonverbal Messages: Consider a time someone in your life used an effective nonverbal message OR an appropriate listening response toward you. Briefly describe the situation and explain how their use of either the nonverbal message or listening response helped the situation. (Be sure to define any class terms and use specific examples from your own life.)
Personal Application of Types of Friendship/ Love: Identify at least one Type of Friendship OR Type of Love that is prominent in your life. Briefly describe the relationship and explain how you think a specific type of friendship or love you learned about in class accurately reflects the relationship.
Conclusion: Review the theme of the paper and summarize the main points you covered in the body of the paper.
Additional Guidelines
Be sure to use specific terminology from class throughout the paper.
Be sure to include specific examples, using characters’ names, throughout the paper.
Focus your paper on describing observable behaviors of individuals rather than relaying a synopsis of the show, plot, etc. In addition, avoid giving general examples of the characters’ relationships over time. Stick with specific examples from the episode(s) you choose to view.
It is fine to look up the general plot of the show online if you are not familiar with it. Several of them span many seasons and it might be helpful to get the gist of the show. However, you should avoid researching specific communication themes in the show, as the information you find will not fulfill the requirements of the assignment and it may lead to plagiarism.
Please designate a separate, labeled, paragraph for each item listed on the rubric. (This is not required, but there will be a deduction if the paper isn’t clearly organized and using headings will help make sure you cover the required material in each paragraph.)
Source citations: In the body of the paper, please include the episode season and title for each example you provide. (If you use the same episode for multiple questions you only need to reference it one time.) In addition, please reference the page number (in parentheses) when you reference a term from the textbook. You do NOT need to create a separate works cited for the textbook or videos at the end of the paper.
Example citation, “The text describes ‘empathizing’ as a response that is appropriate when the listener wants to demonstrate that they identify with the speaker.” (Adler 226)
The paper should be approximately three pages (double spaced) in essay form and should follow the Assignment Guidelines listed in the course syllabus.
Grading
The paper is worth 100 points and counts as 10%of your grade in this class.
The attached rubric will be used to grade the paper.
Media Analysis Paper Rubric
Table 1 Media Analysis Scoring Rubric
Criteria
Points Possible
Points Earned
Included traditional essay introduction previewing the key concepts discussed in your paper
10
Included specific examples, textbook concepts/terms and a discussion of at least 1 Type of Nonverbal Message observed
15
Included specific examples, textbook concepts/terms and a discussion of at least 1 Type of Listening Response observed
15
Included specific examples, textbook concepts/terms and a discussion of at least 1 Type of Friendship OR Love observed
30
Identified an effective use of a Nonverbal Message or Listening Response that you have used effectively in your life (and provided specific examples)
10
Identified a Type of Friendship and/or Type of Love that is present in your life (and provided specific examples)
10
Included traditional essay conclusion summarizing the key concepts of the paper
10
Total Points
100
Deductions (see below Penalties)
Final Grade
Table 2 Penalties
Penalty
Possible Number of Points Deducted
Penalty Points Applied
Incorrect formatting (MLA, Header, Times New Roman, 12-pt font, 1-inch margins, double-spaced)
Up to 10 pts
Failure to correctly cite sources throughout the paper
Up to 15 points
Typos/grammatical errors
Up to 10 pts
Comments
COM 120: Interpersonal Communication