Media Analysis

Essay Assignment and Prewritings

Media Analysis Prewriting and Essay Assignment
Introduction to Media Analysis (Video: Part 1 Part 2) (Slideshow) (Pdf)
Prewriting 1: Noticing: Description and Details (Video) (Slideshow) (Pdf version)
Prewriting 2: Analysis: What's the Point (Video) (Slideshow) (Pdf )
Prewriting 3: Outlining (Video) (Slideshow) (Pdf) (Form)

*Essay Format and Citation Style: APA*

Readings: NOTE: With Essay 3 you are required to use at least 2 of the readings in your paper along with the ad/TV show you analyze. Sources you can use are marked with asterisks ( *). (Check your schedule for our readings from both A Writer’s Reference and Writing down the Basics) Student samples are at the bottom of the page. Student samples are listed at the bottom.)

Key Concepts & How To Readings

Basically, what to analyze, how to analyze it, and various elements, tips and tricks for doing so.

These readings cover key concepts and give you the basics in terms of what things to look at, different strategies and techniques media makers use. They are the tools that help you analyze media.

* 5 Key Questions of Media Literacy *
* A Look at Mothers and Fathers in the Media *
* Ads Don’t Work That Way *
* Advertising Analysis *
* Advertising Tropes *
* Advertising’s Fifteen Basic Appeals *
* Captive: How the Ad Industry Pins us Down *
* Creating Counter Ads *
* Deconstructing Media Messages *
* How Advertising Manipulates Your Choices and Spending Habits *
* How to Analyze and Advertisement *
* How to Conduct a “Close Analysis” of a Media “Text” *
* Language of Persuasion
* Logical Fallacies *
* Looking Beyond the Frame *
* Media Literacy Concepts
* Shame: The Secret Tool of Marketing * (Audio)
* Text & Subtext (Includes a sample text/subtext analysis)
* Why Media Literacy *
The combined packet of New Mexico Literacy Project readings

Discussion and Analysis Readings

These articles provide examples, discussions, analysis, and reflection on advertising.

*The Age of Continuous Consumption: The Battle to Control the Buy Center In Your Brain*
* A Look at Mothers and Fathers in the Media*
* Addicted to Violence: Has the American Dream Become a Nightmare? *
* Advertising and the Archetypal Function of Art — An Example of Transitional Absurdity *
* Advertising: Hit or Myth? *
* Axe “Make Love, Not War” Ad* The ad
* Breaking Bad’s Walter White is the Ultimate Absent Father *
* Commentary: Learning in the Age of Television *
* Dads Through the Decades: Thirty Years of TV Fathers *
* The Dangerous Power of Emotional Advertising *
* Diet C*ck: Coca-Cola's Porno Promo (do note, he gets to be more informal than you do for a college essay like this.) * Coca-Cola “Gardner Ad”
* Does TV Shape Ethnic Images? *
* Experts: Men Have Body Image Worries Too *
* Frontline: The Merchants of Cool (Website and Full Video) *
* Frontline: The Persuaders (Website and Full Video) *
* How Advertising Manipulates Your Choices and Spending Habits (And What to do about It) *
* How Social Media is Changing Advertising–for Better or Worse *
* Idols of the Marketplace *
* The Interpretation of Advertisements *
* Jesus is a Brand of Jeans *
Old Spice Odor Blocker Ad Analysis (Video Sample: not quite what we're doing, but there are similarities)
* Omnipresent Tropes *
* The Power of Images: Creating the Myths of our Time *
* Pregnant Boys *
* Selling to Kids Tips *
* Sex and Advertising*
* Sneaky Ways Advertisers Target Kids *
* Society's Storyteller: How TV Creates the Myths by which we Live *
* The Sociology of Gossip *
* Soda Companies Step up Their Marketing to Black and Latino Kids *
* Television as a Cultural Forum *
*Tools for Developing Positive Masculinity* (This should actually perhaps be titled “Tools for Developing Positive Humanity” Because you should not feel bad about being a man, or a woman, or any other space on the spectrum of gender)
* What Happened to Tender-Hearted Boys? *
* Why Good Advertising Works (Even When You Think It Doesn't) *

Misc.

My YouTube Media Analysis Playlist

Student Samples

APA Abstract, Keyword list, and 6th Edition Format.

Below are samples with abstracts and keywords. An abstract and keyword list is not required in a student paper in the APA 7th edition unless your instructor specifically requests it. If you do have an instructor request one, take a look at these for the format and voice/approach to use. Make sure to write the abstract after you finish your paper. (It’s just a summary.)

Except for one, these are also formatted in APA 6th edition style.