Oral presentation: Comedy

Lesson Plan: Oral Presentation – Comedy in Film

Year Level: Year 10
Topic: Oral Presentation on Comedy Films
Objective:
Students will analyze and present how comedy is constructed through film techniques. They will explore elements of humor, film structure, and language features in selected scenes, articulating how these techniques work to achieve comedic effects.

Lesson 1: Introduction to Comedy in Film

Objective:
Introduce students to key elements of comedy in filmmaking, including language, visual humor, and comedic timing.

Materials:

• Excerpts from various comedy films (suggested: The Simpsons Movie, Charlie Chaplin’s Modern Times, Monty Python and the Holy Grail)
• Projector for film viewing
• Whiteboard/markers

Introduction

• Discuss with students: What makes something funny? Generate a list of common comedic devices such as slapstick, irony, satire, and wordplay.
• Provide students with a brief overview of comedy as a film genre. Explain that comedy relies on timing, language, visuals, and subversion of expectations.

Activity 1: Viewing and Analysis

• Show selected scenes from a variety of comedy films. For each scene, ask students to take notes on the following:
• What type of humor is used? (slapstick, satire, etc.)
• How does timing and delivery affect the humor?
• What film techniques (camera angles, sound, dialogue, acting) are used to enhance the comedic effect?

Group Discussion

• In small groups, students will discuss their observations. They should share examples of techniques they found most effective in conveying humor.

Homework:

• Ask students to choose a comedy film they’d like to analyze for their oral presentation and bring their choice to the next class for approval.

Lesson 2: Analyzing Film Techniques in Comedy

Objective:
Students will learn how to analyze film techniques and use specific language to articulate how comedy is constructed.

Materials:

• Students’ selected films
• Worksheet: “Comedy in Film Analysis” (focused on film techniques like camera angles, sound, timing, and acting)

Introduction

• Review the concept of analyzing film techniques from the previous lesson. Ask students to recall the scenes they watched and identify which film techniques stood out in creating humor.

Activity 1: Film Analysis Practice

• Using the worksheet, guide students through analyzing a short comedy scene together. Focus on teaching them to observe specific elements such as:
• Camera Work: How does the shot composition or movement add to the humor?
• Sound: Does sound (music, effects) contribute to comedic timing or mood?
• Acting/Delivery: How do the actors’ expressions, timing, or gestures enhance the comedic impact?
• Dialogue/Language: Are there puns, wordplay, or humorous dialogue?

Activity 2: Independent Analysis

• Allow students time to work independently on analyzing scenes from their chosen film. They should apply the same framework from the worksheet, identifying how comedy is constructed.

Homework:

• Write a brief summary of 2-3 scenes from their film and how they illustrate the techniques discussed in class. This will form the basis of their oral presentation.

Lesson 3: Structuring the Oral Presentation

Objective:
Students will structure their oral presentation, incorporating their film analysis and developing a cohesive argument about how comedy is constructed in their chosen film.

Materials:

• Oral presentation planning template
• Sample presentation structure on the board

Introduction

• Introduce the components of an effective oral presentation. Review key elements:
• Introduction: Introduce the film and its genre.
• Body: Present 2-3 analyzed scenes, focusing on how the film uses humor and techniques.
• Conclusion: Summarize the film’s success as a comedy and restate the main argument.

Activity 1: Structuring Presentations

• Provide students with a planning template to structure their presentation. Ask them to:
• Write an engaging introduction that grabs the audience’s attention.
• Organize their analysis of scenes logically, ensuring they explain how film techniques create humor.
• Plan a conclusion that reflects on the effectiveness of the film as a comedy.

Activity 2: Rehearsal

• In pairs, students will briefly present their introduction and one analyzed scene to each other. Peers should provide feedback on clarity and engagement.

Homework:

• Finalize the presentation structure and practice presenting the full speech.

Lesson 4: Presentation and Peer Feedback

Objective:
Students will deliver their presentations, showcasing their analysis of how comedy is constructed in film, and receive feedback from peers and the teacher.

Materials:

• Presentation evaluation rubric
• Film excerpts for showing during presentations

Introduction (5 minutes):

• Review the evaluation criteria: clarity, use of evidence, engagement with the audience, and analysis of film techniques.

Activity 1: Presentations

• Students will deliver their 8–10 minute oral presentations, showing excerpts from their selected comedy films and explaining how specific techniques create humor.
• After each presentation, peers will provide constructive feedback using the rubric. Focus on how well the presenter explained film techniques and engaged the audience.

Conclusion (5 minutes):

• Briefly discuss what was learned about comedy in film and how film techniques contribute to comedic effects.

Lesson 5: Reflect and Revise

Objective:
Students will reflect on their presentation performance and revise their analysis for improvement based on peer and teacher feedback.

Materials:

• Presentation feedback sheets
• Reflection worksheet

Introduction

• Review the importance of reflection in improving presentation and analytical skills.

Activity 1: Reflection

• Students will complete a reflection worksheet, answering questions such as:
• What worked well in my presentation?
• What could I improve in terms of explaining film techniques or engaging the audience?
• How did I handle the timing and flow of my presentation?

Activity 2: Revision

• Based on feedback, students will revise a section of their presentation or analysis. Encourage them to strengthen their explanations of how comedy is constructed through film techniques.

Conclusion

• Discuss as a class the key takeaways from analyzing comedy in film and how understanding film techniques enhances the appreciation of this genre.

Assessment:

• Oral Presentation (assessed on clarity, depth of analysis, use of film techniques, and engagement with the audience)
• Peer Feedback (ability to provide constructive feedback on presentations)
• Reflection and Revision (assessed on depth of reflection and improvement of analysis)