Sample+Evaluating+Media+Message

Part 1 Media Effectiveness: Evaluating Media Messages

Use the graphic organizer to EVALUATE the EFFECTIVENESS of the components of your selected media message. There is no one “correct” way to deconstruct a media message – each of us interprets media differently, based on our own knowledge, beliefs, experiences, and values. Just be prepared to explain your interpretation and identify the questions that the media message raises for you about the topic.

Media Message #1: [|__http://www.recycleworks.org/paper/graphics.html__] Citation for Your Selected Media Message MLA Citation: County of San Mateo RecycleWorks Program. "Graphics and Photographs for Your Use." __Graphics and Photographs for your Use__ . County of San Mateo RecycleWorks Program. 15 Mar. 2012 < __http://www.recycleworks.org/paper/graphics.html__ >

What words, images, sounds, etc. are effective for the target audience and why do you think so? ||  The advertisement demonstrates a forest with no trees, but stumps. This is effective because it helps the audience visualize the consequences of not using recycled paper.
 * Audience:

Additionally, the use of black and white within this ad if effective because it represents the lifelessness of a forest without trees. The image of the cut trees next to the vibrant green trees makes the audience understand the rate at which the trees are being cut down. This is effective because it signifies life and death.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Questions Raised: <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">What do you think is the hidden or unstated meaning of the media message? || <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> There are many unstated meanings behind these images:
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I wonder if San Mateo County is the only county in the state who is advocating for recycling works in this way?
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I am curious if this ad was convincing to teenagers- the images are not telling or attractive to that type of audience. ||
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Subtext:


 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The picture that indicates the inner life circles of the tree show how long it takes for a tree to form and grow to a substantial size. This unstated message indicates that even by planting new trees to replace old ones for paper production, the growth rate is not the same as the rate of cutting down and replacing trees.


 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The black and white advertisement also indicates that the deforestation will cause a death to wildlife, greenery, and an abundance of life thus creating a lifelessness in the environment.


 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The use of the word stumped is used to interpret multiple meanings. One to demonstrate the picture of cut down trees but also to convey the verb stumped- as in there are no other options after we have cut down all of the trees. We will have no other options.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Questioned Raised: || <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">What makes the “tools of persuasion” used effective? || # <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Experts
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Persuasion Techniques:
 * 1) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Fear
 * 2) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Intensity- Stumped, exaggeration of death

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Question Raised: <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I wonder how effective fear was in a community/state/ area that does not have a large quantity of forest? || <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">What part of the story is not being told? || # <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The amount of trees that are being planted a year.
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Point of View:
 * 1) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The amount of trees used to supply the amount of paper used by the US each year.
 * 2) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Are papers reforesting areas, or other experts?
 * 3) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Is it a safe process or one that harms the environment?
 * 4) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Who is funding the ad and what is their buy in?
 * 5) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Is this a human or a machine process and how much cost is involved? ||