This paper will examine a film relationship and apply two interpersonal communication theories from Chapters 8 and 9 of your textbook. The focus will be on the role of communication in the development and maintenance of a relationship in a film of your choice.
Directions
Your essay should include the following:
Introduction: In the introduction you should briefly describe the film you have chosen and specifically the relationship(s) in the film that you will be analyzing. Preview the main points of the paper (which theories or model you will be using to analyze the film) and the role that communication generally played in the success or failure of this relationship.
Choose one of the theories (or model) of relational development from Chapter 8, briefly describe the theory/model and discuss how your film illustrates the ideas from this theory or model. Provide examples from the film (describe a scene and/or use short excerpts of dialogue) to illustrate your points. Explain why you think this theory best explains the way the relationship developed. Theories from this chapter include:
Attraction Theory
Uncertainty Reduction Theory
Social Penetration Theory
Knapp’s Stage Model of Relational Development
Choose one of the theories of relational maintenance from Chapter 9 and discuss how your film illustrates the theory. In this section of the paper, you should describe the theory briefly and show how the theory you have chosen best explains the way the characters in the film maintain (or do not maintain) the relationship, using examples from the film to illustrate your argument. Theories from this chapter include:
Social Exchange Theory
Communication Privacy Management Theory
Everyday Talk
Relational Dialectics
Conclusion: Briefly summarize the main points of your paper and explain how these theories provided some insight into the role of communication in the development and maintenance of the relationship(s) you examined in the film.
Note: This paper is NOT just a review or summary of the film. Do not include large sections of dialogue. The focus should be the relational communication theories and how they apply to the film relationship, using examples (scene descriptions or short quotes) to illustrate the theory/model.
The paper should meet the following requirements:
3 to 4 typed pages, 1-inch margins, 12 pt non-decorative font (Times New Roman, Arial), no cover page
Cite your sources (including the textbook) using MLA or APA formatting
Save your essay as a Microsoft Word file (.doc or .docx) with your last name and the assignment name as the title (ex: jsmith-IPfilmpaper.doc).
You may choose any film you like but keep in mind that some films (like action movies) may not have a lot of dialogue between characters and would limit your ability for analysis. Some films that might be better for this assignment and are available for free include:
The Break Up (2006)
Spanglish (2004)
When Harry Met Sally (1989)
Up In the Air (2010)
Meet the Parents (2000)
Submission
You will submit this assignment in Module 12.
Grading
This paper is worth 90 points and will be graded according to the rubric below.
