COMM 3220 Movie (“Twelve Angry Men”) Analysis Paper
Total points:100 points
Length of the paper: minimum 5 pages in full length (excluding cover page)
Format: Only word format is acceptable. Other format will NOT be accepted and will be returned to students
Headings/subheadings: The paper should have separate main/subsection headings (please refer to the paper format example in the below). The paper that did not meet this requirement will NOT be accepted and returned. If the deadline is over when students resubmit correct format of the paper, it will be counted as a late paper.
1. Overview
View the film “Twelve Angry Men” (1957 version) and write a paper analyzing the group discussion dramatized in the film.
While watching the film, take notes that include specific examples to illustrate concepts related to group communication.
You may want to rent the film from a local video store and view it again as you develop ideas for your paper.
2. The paper should contain the following:
1) Cover page (including title of the paper, course title & no., and your name).
Cover page information should NOT appear in the body of your paper. Or this
will result in serious penalty.
2) Introduction (1 page)
Briefly discuss the content of the movie
3) Issues for Analysis (at least 3 pages)
Your analysis of the jury should address following five issues. Provide specific
examples from the film to support your claim.
Leadership:
-Describe the different leadership style represented on the jury.
-What theory or theories best explain(s) the leadership of this group? Cite textbook
Participation:
-Define the task, maintenance, and self-centered roles. Cite textbook
-Describe the task, maintenance, and self-centered roles represented in the
film.
-What were some of the participation problems confronted by the group?
-How did the group deal with these problems?
Climate (Gibb’s supportive vs. defensive climate):
-Define supportive and defensive climate. Cite textbook.
-Identify specific supportive or defensive communication behaviors (e.g., certainty, provisionalism, superiority, indifference, etc.) displayed throughout most of the jury’s deliberations.
-Define these specific behaviors with textbook citation
Conflict:
-Briefly define task, procedural, and personal conflict. Cite textbook.
-Provide examples of task, procedural, and personal conflict represented in the film.
-What were some of the conflict styles (e.g., avoiding, competing, compromising, etc.) of group members? Cite textbook.
-How successfully were conflicts resolved in the group?
Argumentation:
-Evaluate the jury members’ arguments. How well did the characters evaluate information?
4) Conclusion (at least 1 page):
Briefly summarize what you have discussed in this paper.
Discuss what you have learned from this movie
Discuss how this analysis could be applicable in your current/future work.
