EL3880B Cinematic Discourse & Language:
Project Presentation

Percentage of total marks for the project: 10% for the presentation (this document) & 10% for the report.

Topics

The project topic is open, so long as it is related to a topic pertaining to the module. The project work is done by a group (see below). Individual projects are not accepted.

Dates for group project presentations

Refer to the schedule.

Details on the project presentations are given below.

Group members

1. The project group should consist of four to six members. Smaller or bigger groups are discouraged, unless it is really impossible for members to join other groups.
2. The names of the group members should be given to me once the group is formed.

Scale of project

1. Please note that the project carries a total of 20% of the marks. As such, it is an important component of your continuous assessment.
2. It is strongly recommended that if movies are to be used for the presentation, only one or two short movies (or clips) are to be selected, as you will not have the time to discuss more movies during the presentation. Remember, you only have thirty minutes for the presentation (which includes playing time for the movie, movies or clips), and there should also be fifteen minutes of discussion with your course-mates and me as well.

Preparing for the presentation

1. The division of labour for the project group is something that you should decide initially. This is an arrangement between members of the group, which you need not convey to me beforehand.
2. The recommended software for the presentation is PowerPoint 2003 or 2007. Other software may be used, but students are urged to ascertain beforehand if their software is compatible with the operating system and hardware available in the seminar room. I have found that Macintosh presentation software does not always work with the available operating system and hardware. No added time will be given for technical glitches – these glitches should be resolved before and not during the session.
3. Instead of presenting a uniform group opinion, your group could present, whenever possible, a diversity of opinions. Remember, critical thinking has nothing to do with uniformity of opinion. However, diversity of opinions and evaluations should be presented systematically, and you should discuss with your group mates or with me on how this could be done.
4. Students are expected to play at least a segment of the video. They need not integrate the video clips within their PowerPoint file if they do not know how to do this. They can be played separately using Microsoft Media Player or via hypertext links within the PowerPoint file, or using the DVD player available, without hyper-linking them to the PowerPoint file.

Timing & presenters

1. The presentation should be thirty minutes in length, and no more.
   • Timing for the presentation will be one of the criteria for assessment.
   • Students should not add unnecessary time-consuming segments to their presentation (eg. a lengthy audience participation session).
2. Students can decide on who they want to appoint to present.
   • There is no necessity for every member of the group to be involved in the presentation.
   • It would be good however, if you have a proper procedure for the selection of the presenters, using appropriate criteria, such as whether they are your best speaker or speakers, whether they are articulate, convincing, able to use gestures and body movements effectively, etc. The selection of the presenter or presenters should not be done by drawing lots.
3. There should be fifteen minutes of discussion after the presentation.

Content of presentation

1. The purpose of the project must be clearly and systematically presented.
   • The project group will be penalised if:
     • The goal of their project is not made clear, or
     • The presentation seems to meander from purpose to purpose, without a clear sense of direction, or
     • Generalised statements, observations or emotional reactions are put forward without substantiation
2. The findings and observations of the project must be presented systematically.
   • There must be a smooth progression of the ideas, observations or arguments presented.
3. The content of the presentation must be original.
   • Of course, it is not easy to be wholly original. So the group must at least attempt to present old ideas in a new light.
4. The content of the presentation must be relevant to the module.

Manner & quality of presentation

The project presentation is not judged solely on its content. The manner and quality of the presentation, according to the following criteria, are also important:

1. Was the use of graphics, sound and/or video effective?
2. How was the delivery? (eg. voice quality, audibility, movements, gestures, attempt at eye-contact, etc.)
3. How was the group dynamics like (eg. coordination and cooperation between members of the group)?
4. Overall, was the presentation interesting? Or was it boring?