Date

8-20-2026

Department

School of Communication and the Arts

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Communication (PhD)

Chair

Carol E Hepburn

Keywords

Communication, research, theory, movie, film, dialogue, referent, symbol, reference, discourse, motion pictures, quotes, qualitative, meaning, cinematic, cinema

Disciplines

Communication | Film and Media Studies

Abstract

This qualitative thematic analysis study researched the topic of film dialogue elements used in common interpersonal discourse. These elements, or movie quotes, were observed to manifest as meaning-filled symbols in communication throughout American culture. This phenomenon, and the gap in scholarly literature or lack of research on movie quotes within the field of communication, underscored the significance and need for investigation. This study employed a qualitative methodology using the thematic analysis approach in evaluating data. Research questions were designed to focus the study on internal motivation for, and external influence on, movie quote usage. 17 screened adult participants provided valid narrative data from across the U. S. through online survey responses. Analysis of cited sources, along with thematic interpretation of relevant collected data, provided insight on movie quote uses for building rapport, sharing culture, creating identity, expressing emotion and humor, and navigating social awkwardness. Discovered during analysis were movie quotes as relational tools, as strategic conversational functions, and supporting the evolution of idiomatic speech. The triangle of meaning by Ogden & Richards (1923), a theoretical perspective of symbol, referent, and reference describing the transmission of meaning, was applied and played a key role throughout this research. This theory was uniquely adapted and introduced with this study as the triangle of cinematic meaning. It demonstrated how symbolic movie quotes, their referent film scenes, and the references they cognitively evoke work together to create meaning transfer during discourse. This research thus generated both practical and theoretical insight into significant cinematic influence in everyday communication.

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