Message First: Using Films to Power the Point

Abstract

This article looks at the use of the film "Other People's Money" in teaching business communication students. An assignment for business students is discussed which focuses on speeches within the film for and against selling out. Students are given a one-page handout with spaces to fill in information on a speech's opening, closing, main points, and supporting evidence. Students then break off into groups to complete the second half of the exercise, in which they create a PowerPoint slide show of their assigned speech and respond to questions on it. Students discuss the possible gains and losses of the speakers if they had used PowerPoint during the speech.