Interpersonal Relationships as Manifest in Five Feet Apart Essay

Posted: January 20th, 2023

INTERPERSONAL MOVIE PAPER DIRECTIONS
Communication and Relationshipsin Film
You are to select a film and examine several theories of interpersonal communication discussed in your
text to see how they are portrayed in film. The focus will be on how communication is used to initiate,
maintain, and terminate relationships. The film will serve as a vehicle for learning about interpersonal
communication and relationships. You will analyze what the film has shown about the ways people
relate to one another.
The paper should be 3-5 pages long, with a bibliography of at least two sources. Your textbook can be one
of the sources. DO NOT go under two and a half or over four and a half pages. Your analysis should focus
on issues of communication, incorporating material from the readings, your online assignments. You will
need a strong introduction and a conclusion in this paper as well as identify three or four points
(concepts) that you found most enlightening, controversial, or even possibly incorrect. You will be
expected to discuss what individuals did, what happened, and why. Relevant communication theory and
text material should be introduced for each example. You should write this paper as if you were going to
demonstrate your expertise and knowledge to an individual that has little or no knowledge of
communication theory. That “pretend reader” should learn a lot from reading your paper.
The paper should be 3-5 pages, word-processed, double-spaced, 12pt Times New Roman font, with a
cover page. You must cite the course textbook using MLA formatting. When saving your document,
include your last name and the assignment, and save as either a Microsoft Word file (.doc or .docx) or a
Rich Text File (.rtf).
Submit this paper in the appropriate assignment drop box in Blackboard by the deadline.
Course Objectives:
1. Recognize the components of the communication process and the types of communication in which
human beings engage (one-on-one, group and public speaking).
2. Students will recognize and accommodate gender and cultural differences in communication settings
and appreciate diverse communication styles.
3. Students will describe the role of free speech in a democratic society and be able to critically evaluate
and analyze the message and delivery style of public speakers.
Chapter Objectives:
By completing this assignment, students will be able to:
1. Define intimacy and describe a range of options for conveying intimate messages.
2. Analyze the themes of a close relationship using both Knapp’s model of relationship
development and the dialecticalmodel.
3. Explain the different conflict management styles.
4. Distinguish between constructive styles and methods of dealing with interpersonal conflict.
5. Analyze both Verbal and Nonverbal communication in relationships.
6. Apply the communication process and perception in interpersonal relationships.
The great news is that interpersonal communication can be tied into many chapters that we have
already discussed in the course this semester.
Some topics you might choose to discuss:
x Perception in interpersonalrelationships.
x Communication Process
x Models of Communication
x Theses of a close relationship using both Knapp’s model of relationship development and the
dialectical model.
x Conflicts in relationships and the methods and styles of dealing with interpersonal conflict.
x Listening
x Self-Concept
x Non-VerbalCommunication
x Verbal Communication
Select as many concepts/theories that apply to the film. Do not hesitate to go beyond and think
outside of the box. As you watch the film, you may want to take notes and have your textbook handy.
EVALUATION FORM FOR THE INTERPERSONAL FILM PAPER
ITEM SCORE COMMENTS
Film selection is appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 COMMENTS
Paper met the page
requirement
1 2 3 4 5
Paper examines more than four
interpersonal communication
theories
2 4 6 8 10
Theories used clearly defined 2 4 6 8 10
Sources cited both in the paper
and in the bibliography
2 4 6 8 10
Paper has a strong introduction
and background
2 4 6 8 10
Paper has a strong conclusion
with an summary
2 4 6 8 10
Strong examples given
throughout the paper to
connect the theories with
scenes in the film
2 4 6 8 10
Identified three or four points
(concepts) that you found most
enlightening, controversial, or
even possibly incorrect
2 4 6 8 10
Paper focused on how
communication is used to
initiate, maintain, and
terminate relationships
2 4 6 8 10
Paper followed all stated
directions
2 4 6 8 10