Worksheet for Analyzing Film Trailers as Persuasive Texts
copyright 2008, Frank W. Baker
Instructions: choose a variety of movie trailers to use in the lesson. After students have become familiar with the language of film
and the persuasive techniques, they should view a trailer, consider the elements and then complete this worksheet.
 

Genre (is the film animated, drama, documentary, comedy, sci-fi, adolescent, horror, etc.)
Narrative (how is the story told?)
Location (how does the trailer reveal location? what clues tell you so?)
Characters (describe the people portrayed in the trailer based on the info in the trailer)
Voice Over (who is the narrator? )
Theme (identify at least one theme based on the trailer)
Pacing (how is the trailer paced: fast, medium, slow? what impact might pacing have?)
On-screen graphics (what kind of info is revealed--be specific)
Editing & post production (can include special effects)
Music and other sound effects (what role do they play?)

Questions to consider:
1. how does the trailer begin and end? Was it effectively edited?

2. what film studio is releasing the trailer? What might you know about them and their previously released films?
3. why is this trailer being played before the specific film you are about to view?
4. who creates trailers?
5. do trailers always tell you everything you need to know about the film? (if not, where can you get more information?)