Assessment
Assessment Detalis
For this task you will need to closely watch, analyse and apply a literary lens to a film of your choice. Your choice of literary lens must be a different lens to the one you applied in your AI2 – Essay.
You are doing a literary analysis of a film, applying a critical lens to it and drawing your evidence from 1-2 key scenes. You must refer to and cite secondary sources to support your analysis.
Focus Question: How does the application of your chosen critical lens allow the viewer to identify what the film is trying to say about society?
You will present your analysis of the film orally (5-7 minutes per person, excluding any video being shown). This may be done:
- Individually presenting one lens,
- or in pairs comparing the application of 2 different lenses. Paired presentations will be marked individually based on what is said by each person and individual time limits will apply (e.g. 2 people in a group 10 – 14 minutes).
- You will present a recorded presentation WITH visual aids (Slides) submitted to Google Classroom.
You must submit a bibliography that includes all texts you have used including your film. Plans and visual aids must be submitted on Google Classroom by the due date.
Points of note:
- You cannot choose The Dry
- Select your film choice from the list provided
- Choose a scene that is relevant to the lens you’re examining
- Include analysis of film techniques and structural elements and consider how they emphasise your chosen lens
- Apply a different lens to the one you applied to The Dry in Assessment Item 2 • You must submit an MP4 file
• Late submission of recordings due to technical issues will result in late penalties.
Summary of Assessment Requirements
This assessment requires students to select a film, analyse it using a critical literary lens, and present their findings through a recorded oral presentation (5–7 minutes) supported by visual aids such as slides. The chosen lens must be different from the one used in Assessment Item 2 (AI2) and must be applied through the close study of 1–2 significant scenes. Students must analyse how their chosen lens helps the viewer understand the film's commentary about society.
Key Requirements Include:
- Selecting a film from the approved list (excluding The Dry).
- Applying a critical lens different from the previous assessment.
- Choosing relevant scenes connected to the chosen lens.
- Analysing film techniques, structural elements, and how they reinforce the lens.
- Using and citing secondary sources to support claims.
- Submitting:
- A recorded MP4 presentation with slides.
- A complete bibliography of all references and sources.
- Plans and visual aids uploaded to Google Classroom by the due date.
- Late submissions due to technical reasons will still incur penalties.
How the Academic Mentor Guided the Student Through the Assessment
1. Interpreting the Assessment Task
The mentor first guided the student in understanding the purpose and expectations of the task. Together, they broke down the instructions to identify the core components: choosing an appropriate film, selecting a lens, analysing scenes, and preparing an evidence-backed presentation. The mentor emphasised that the goal is to understand how theoretical perspectives shape a viewer’s interpretation of society through film.
2. Selecting the Film and Critical Lens
The mentor supported the student in reviewing the approved film list and choosing a film that presented rich thematic depth suitable for analysis. They assured the lens chosen was different from AI2 and relevant to the film’s key issues. The mentor helped shortlist lenses such as Feminist, Marxist, Psychoanalytic, Postcolonial, and Structuralist, and assisted the student in evaluating which lens aligned best with the selected scenes.
3. Identifying 1–2 Key Scenes
The mentor guided the student to rewatch the film carefully and identify scenes that strongly illustrate the chosen lens. They discussed how a scene must provide sufficient visual, thematic, and symbolic material for analysis. The student learned how to recognise moments that reflect deeper societal commentary and where film techniques are used intentionally to enhance meaning.
4. Analysing Film Techniques and Structure
The mentor explained how to break down scenes by discussing:
- Cinematography and camera angles
- Lighting and colour
- Sound and music
- Dialogue and character behaviour
- Editing rhythms
- Symbolism and recurring motifs
The student learned to connect these techniques directly to their chosen lens—demonstrating not just what occurs in the scene but how it reinforces a particular social commentary.
5. Integrating Secondary Sources
The mentor showed the student how to incorporate academic references to strengthen their interpretation. This included finding reputable articles, scholarly discussions on the lens, and relevant film criticism. The mentor highlighted the importance of proper citation to ensure academic integrity and credibility.
6. Developing the Oral Presentation Structure
The mentor worked with the student to draft a clear and engaging script. They outlined the ideal sequence:
- Introduction of film, lens, and focus question
- Brief summary of selected scenes
- Analytical breakdown supported by techniques
- Integration of secondary sources
- Conclusion highlighting what the film says about society
The mentor also guided the creation of slide visuals, ensuring they were clear, uncluttered, and supportive of verbal explanation.
7. Preparing and Recording the MP4 Presentation
The mentor helped the student rehearse timing to meet the 5–7 minute requirement. They also provided guidance on speaking clarity, pacing, visual emphasis, and transitions between points. Finally, they ensured the student recorded the video correctly in MP4 format and uploaded all components before the due date.
Outcome and Learning Objectives Achieved
By following the structured guidance, the student successfully produced a cohesive, analytical, and well-supported presentation. They demonstrated:
- Cognitive understanding of how literary lenses shape interpretation.
- Analytical skills in connecting film scenes and techniques to broader societal commentary.
- Technical skills in structuring an oral presentation with visual aids.
- Research skills through the use of secondary scholarly sources.
- Academic integrity through citation and original interpretation.