Persuasive Film Analysis

Choose a film from the list and view the film. As you are watching, please make notes so that you can fill out the film analysis viewing guide.

For this assignment, you will view a suggested documentary and complete the film analysis viewing guide. Then, you will write a 3-4 page paper summarizing the effectiveness of the documentary as a tool of persuasion. Your paper should specifically address the following items:

· Introduction: What film did you watch? Who made it, and when was it made? What is the central message of the film? Be specific, and try to articulate, in one sentence, what the filmmaker is trying to say in the film.

· What types of emotional appeals does the filmmaker use to support his/her central message? Be sure to give specific examples from the film. Don’t just say, “It was sad.” Explain why it was sad by giving multiple examples of specific messages that made it sad.

· How successful is the filmmaker in his/her use of emotional appeals? Do you think most people watching the film would experience the emotions that the filmmaker is trying to use? Is the film convincing on an emotional level?

· What types of logic appeals does this filmmaker use to support his/her central message? Data, evidence, statistics, reasoned argument, testimony from experts, etc. are all examples of logic appeals. Again, give several specific examples from the film. Don’t just say, “He gave a lot of statistics.” Give specific examples of their use.

· How successful is the filmmaker in his/her use of logic appeals? Is the argument sound? Does the filmmaker provide enough credible evidence to make his/her point? You don’t need to agree with the filmmaker, but you should be able to determine the credibility of his/her message.

· What are the strengths/weaknesses of this film as a tool of persuasion? In other words, what does the filmmaker do well to prove his/her argument? What did you find lacking in the film that would have made the message come across better? Again, you don’t have to agree with the filmmaker, or even like his/her message. You just need to determine what he/she did right and what needs improvement.

· Conclusion: would you recommend this film? Why or why not? This is just your opinion.

You are welcome to cite sources to support your argument, but they are not required. You may NOT integrate outside opinion and represent it as your own. Your instructor will grade the paper using the attached rubric, and you must receive a passing score in all areas to receive a passing grade on the assignment.

Film Selections

Bowling for Columbine

Supersize Me

WalMart: the High Cost of Low Price

Religulous

Capitalism: A Love Story

Sicko

Maxed Out

Trouble the Water

Inside Job

Restreppo

Waiting for Superman

Fahrenheit 9/11

The Cove

An Inconvenient Truth

Food, Inc.

Home

This Film is Not Yet Rated

Zeitgeist: The Movie

GasLand

The Two Escobars

The Union: The Business Behind Getting High

Hearts and Minds

Paradise Lost: the Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills

The Times of Harvey Milk

No End in Sight

Promises

The Corporation

Tapped