Singapore Shorts '25 feat. Ema Tan's (Cuscus) & Ms Gladys' films
TEXTUAL ANALYSIS
The textual analysis (1,750 words maximum) is intended to be a formalist exercise rather than a thesis-driven essay. The focus of the work should be on how meaning is conveyed through the use of film elements in the chosen film text, with consideration of the cultural context of the film and communicated through the use of relevant and accurate film vocabulary common to the study of film and appropriate for film analysis.
Each student submits the following for assessment.
a. A written textual analysis (1,750 words maximum)
b. A list of all sources used.
NOTE: Each student identifies an extract from the chosen film text for analysis. The extract may be up to five minutes in length and must be a single, continuous sequence of the film.
FORMAT
The textual analysis should adopt a formal, academic register and may be written in the first person, reflecting the student’s personal opinion and reaction, where appropriate.
The finished textual analysis will be submitted online and students must ensure that their work is clear and legible when presented in a digital, on-screen format.
Use the following: formats:
A4 or US Letter
Legible sans serif 12-point font.
Begin the textual analysis by clearly stating the chosen film text, the 5-minute extract that will be analysed and the specific film elements that are going to be discussed.
State the number of words used at the end of the textual analysis.
A list of all sources used.
SOURCES
Organised your list of sources! (See Examplars)
Note the following:
Films and Online Videos
Journals and Books
Online Resource
TIPS
Examiners look for this:
the cultural context of the chosen film text, making reference to relevant research that relates to the selected film and comes from appropriate sources
how the chosen extract from the film makes use of film elements to convey meaning in the chosen film. This work is supported by the appropriate use of relevant film vocabulary
how the cultural context of the film and a selection of identified film elements in the selected extract relate to each other
how identified film elements in the selected extract relate to the chosen film text as a whole. This might also feasibly include, where appropriate, relationships to other film texts.
VISUALS
Supporting Visual Materials are highly encouraged:
Students may use carefully selected and relevant illustrations such as screen-grabs, visuals or annotated diagrams to support their analysis of the chosen film text. Screen-grabs from the chosen film are permitted in this assessment task, as long as the images are clearly referenced and the work is not distributed outside the IB.
All supporting visual material must be clearly labelled and appropriately referenced to acknowledge the source, following the protocol of the referencing style chosen by the school.
The labels, which are excluded from the final word limit of the textual analysis, should contain the minimum information needed to ensure the examiner understands the significance of the illustration. Labels must not include commentary, as this will be considered as part of the textual analysis discussion and therefore included in the word count.