An analysis and evaluation of the American TV drama, Suits as an English language study material focusing on 'Words-Punch'

Rho, Yoon Ah

Article

Journal of English Teaching through Movies and Media 2013;14(3):59-86.
Published online December 30, 2013.

An analysis and evaluation of the American TV drama, Suits as an English language study material focusing on 'Words-Punch'

Yoon Ah Rho

영어 학습 교재로서 슈츠 분석

노윤아

Abstract

This paper suggests a new approach in dealing movies and TV dramas, which is to regard each movie or TV drama as an independent teaching and learning material with distinctive and differentiated features. Most studies focus on applying English education theory and methods to movies or TV dramas considering them as a whole. Therefore, there are not enough studies to guide teachers and learners who are interested in movie English when they try to choose which movies or TV dramas to use. For that end, more specific and practical studies dealing more fully with specific movies or TV dramas are needed. The American TV drama Suits was chosen to be analyzed and evaluated as a language study material in order to satisfy this need. To do that, 'Words-Punch (or punching words; a coined word)' was selected as the most distinguishing feature in the dialogues of Suits. 'Words-Punch' means words that can bring powerful influences to an interlocutor, such as surprising counter arguments and touching words. Scenes in which 'word-punches' appear were selected and offered to interviewees. Interviews were conducted with six college students to observe their responses to using Suits as a study material. Detailed analyses quoting segments of the script and the responses of interviewees will be helpful to teachers and learners searching for suitable movies and TV dramas to use as language study materials.

Key Words: TV drama;Suits;Words-Punch;English study material