Film Analysis Assignment Sheet & Rubric for Coraline

A Thematic + Visual Analysis Project for Middle & High School Students

What’s This Resource?

This assignment invites students to explore theme through cinematic technique, guiding them to craft a visual analysis of Henry Selick’s Coraline. Students choose a theme, select meaningful shots from the film, and use film vocabulary to build a structured, thesis-driven presentation.

The resource includes:

• 🎯 A scaffolded assignment sheet with flexible approaches
• ✅ Clear expectations and options for differentiation
• 📝 Two detailed rubrics (ACP [advanced college prep] & Honors)
• 💻 Google Slides–friendly format

Learning Goals

Students will:

• Practice close viewing and visual analysis
• Apply key film form vocabulary (e.g., mise-en-scène, camera movement, framing, color, etc.)
• Explore themes like growing up, family dynamics, escapism, and identity
• Support a thematic thesis using screenshots and formal analysis
• Demonstrate learning through a presentation deck (no in-class presenting required)

Skills Covered

• Visual literacy
• Analytical writing
• Thematic synthesis
• Vocabulary application (e.g., rule of thirds, distance, angle, mise-en-scene)
• Project-based learning and self-paced structure

🗂 What’s Included

• ✅ Assignment sheet with:
  • Brainstorming paths (theme-based, motif-based, or character-based)
  • Suggested themes and sample thesis statements
  • Creative + analytical framing options
• ✅ Differentiated rubrics (standard vs. honors) for flexible grading
• ✅ Tips for success, analysis scaffolding, and timeline suggestions

Use This Assignment For:

• 📽️ Culminating project after a Coraline viewing
• 📘 Intro to film form in middle/high school film units
• 🧠 Critical thinking in literary or media studies
• 💬 A quiet but rich alternative to discussion-heavy projects
• 💻 Digital or hybrid classrooms with asynchronous presentations

Student Sample Themes

“Children may not understand how their parents express love.”

“There needs to be a balance between freedom and rules.”

“Growing up means understanding that love is more important than material items.”

Looking for more film-focused assignments? Check out the Film Studies Collection.