The Great Debaters
Movie Exam: COM115
Must be typed in 12-point font
Using a Public Speaking perspective, find examples of the concepts listed below.
For each course concept, provide one example from the film. Number and list your concepts (in the same order as below) and write at least six complete sentences on what you observed and how this is an example of that concept. For each response, you should integrate a citation from the textbook. You should be very clear with how this example indicates the specified concept.
Papers should be typed and grammatically correct. Citations should be completed in MLA, APA, or Chicago format. Please refer to characters by their names in the film (access IMDB.com for a full list of character names). Below is a sample paragraph to demonstrate the expected level of analysis of the film:
Persuasion: When attempting to persuade, it’s critical for a speaker to identify the audience’s needs and convey how the speaker’s stated goals serve to satisfy them. As our text states, “[The audience] may not even be aware of their needs; in a persuasive speech one of your tasks is to show the audience that needs exist that they might not know about.” (p. 33). In the film, Dr. James Farmer, Sr. appeals to the town sheriff to release Dr. Melvin Tolson from custody. Sharecroppers have descended upon the police station demanding Tolson’s release and there’s a standoff between the protestors and the law enforcement officers. Farmer engages the sheriff stating, “A mass slaughter of citizens … by Texas Rangers? ls that really what you want as the Sheriff of this county? Now, if you let Tolson go home, l believe that these folks outside, they’ll go home as well.” By appealing to the sheriff’s needs, namely his desire to be regarded highly in his community, Farmer has identified the factors that might motivate the sheriff to change his behavior. Indeed, this audience analysis serves Farmer well, as the sheriff reluctantly decides to release Tolson from custody.
1. Persuasion 2. Pathos 3. Physical Behaviors
4. Vocal Variety 5. Audience Analysis 6. Source credibility
7. Articulation 8. Logic and Reasoning 9. Speaker credibility
10. Call to action
11. Analyze the final debate speech. Reflect on the following components: Topic, Thesis, Main Points, Use of Ethos, Pathos, Logos, Articulation, Vocal variety, Nonverbal communication (Facial expressions, Eye contact, Gestures, Movements), Conclusion.
Detailed and clear response written in complete sentences, providing example of course concept from film. Minimum 6 sentences total. Includes textbook citation in APA, MLA, or Chicago format.
Pathos
Detailed and clear response written in complete sentences, providing example of course concept from film. Minimum 6 sentences total. Includes textbook citation in APA, MLA, or Chicago format.
Response written in complete sentences but is unclear or lacks detail. Clear understanding of course concept demonstrated. Minimum 5 sentences total. Textbook citation included but may not be written in MLA, APA, or Chicago guidelines.
Physical Behaviors
Detailed and clear response written in complete sentences, providing example of course concept from film. Minimum 6 sentences total. Includes textbook citation in APA, MLA, or Chicago format.
Response written in complete sentences but is unclear or lacks detail. Clear understanding of course concept demonstrated. Minimum 5 sentences total. Textbook citation included but may not be written in MLA, APA, or Chicago guidelines.
Response written in complete sentences but is unclear or lacks
Vocal Variety
Detailed and clear response written in complete sentences, providing example of course concept from film. Minimum 6 sentences total. Includes textbook citation in APA, MLA, or Chicago format.
Audience Analysis
Detailed and clear response written in complete sentences, providing example of course concept from film. Minimum 6 sentences total. Includes textbook citation in APA, MLA, or Chicago format.
Source Credibility
Detailed and clear response written in complete sentences, providing example of course concept from film. Minimum 6 sentences total. Includes textbook citation in APA, MLA, or Chicago format.
Articulation
Detailed and clear response written in complete sentences, providing example of course concept from film. Minimum 6 sentences total. Includes textbook citation in APA, MLA, or Chicago format.
Logic and Reasoning
Detailed and clear response written in complete sentences, providing example of course concept from film. Minimum 6 sentences total. Includes textbook citation in APA, MLA, or Chicago format.
Detailed and clear response written in complete sentences, providing example of course concept from film. Minimum 6 sentences total. Includes textbook citation in APA, MLA, or Chicago format.
Response written in complete sentences but is unclear or lacks detail. Clear understanding of course concept demonstrated. Minimum 5 sentences total. Textbook citation included but may not be written in MLA, APA, or Chicago guidelines.
Response written in complete sentences but is unclear or lacks detail. Response does not demonstrate understanding of course concept. Less than 4 sentences total. Response omits textbook citations or citations are not written in MLA, APA, or Chicago format
Call to Action
Detailed and clear response written in complete sentences, providing example of course concept from film. Minimum 6 sentences total. Includes textbook citation in APA, MLA, or Chicago format.
Response written in complete sentences but is unclear or lacks detail. Response does not demonstrate understanding of course concept. Less than 4 sentences total. Response omits textbook citations or citations are not written in MLA, APA, or Chicago format
Final Speech Analysis
Detailed and clear response written in complete sentences, providing examples of course concepts from film. Minimum 6 sentences total. Includes textbook citation in APA, MLA, or Chicago format.