Assignment+Reading+Media+Texts

** "Reading" Mass Media Texts **
Select three mass media texts (e.g., a CD, a television show, and a magazine advertisement). Answer following questions IN COMPLETE SENTENCES to analyze how meaning is constructed in each of the texts. Be sure to give specifc examples or details to support your answers. > > **Related Media Log Questions** Answer the following, in paragraph form, in your media logs in your notebooks.
 * 1) Source (Who is communicating?)
 * Where does this text come from? Who created it? Who owns it? **/2**
 * How is this text distributed or sold to the public? Who profits? **/2**
 * 1) Audience and Purpose (To whom is it communicated? What is the purpose of the communication?)
 * What is the purpose of this text? Entertainment? Information? Persuasion? **/3**
 * Who is the intended (target) audience? **/2**
 * How and why might this text appeal to its intended audience? **/3**
 * How does this text appeal to you? What things do you like and dislike? **/3**
 * 1) Message (What is being communicated?)
 * What does this text appear to be saying on a surface level? **/2**
 * What are the values and ideology behind this text? Does the text present the beliefs of one particular group? **/2**
 * What stereotypes, if any, are presented? To what effect? **/2**
 * To what extent do you share these beliefs? **/2**
 * 1) Form and Conventions (What medium is used? What are its conventions?)
 * What medium was used? **/1**
 * **What techniques are used to reach and hold the audience? /3**
 * How was the text made? What production techniques were used? **/3**
 * What rules and laws affect this text (e.g., running time, copyright)? **/2**
 * 1) Overall Assessment (How effective is the communication?) **/6**
 * 2) Production (How was this text produced? How could you produce a similar text? What would you change?) **/3**
 * What has the second close "reading" shown you? **/3**
 * What "standard ingredients" are often used in one of the following media: soap operas, cartoons, CD covers, travel advertisements, sports telecasts? What is the medium’s appeal to its audience? What separates it from other media? **/10**