Part+One+Deconstructing+Media+Messages

All media messages – TV shows, newspapers, movies, advertisements, etc. – are made or constructed by people. One of the most important media literacy skills is deconstruction – closely examining and “taking apart” media messages to understand how they work.
 * Part I Media Analysis: Deconstructing Media Messages **

Your first task is to select a critical issue that you would like to explore from the following: Animal Rights, Recycling, Violence in Video Games, Cell Phone Use in Schools, and Endangered Species. Use the links provided to you by your teacher in build your background knowledge on your selected topic.

Next, you will need to locate a variety of different media sources on your selected topic and deconstruct the media message in each one to help your audience understand who created the message, and who is intended to receive it. Consumers interpret media differently, so you will need to additionally rely on your own knowledge, beliefs, experiences, and values. Be prepared to explain your interpretation.

You will need to:
 * 1) Use a graphic organizer to identify and analyze the key media literacy concepts and persuasion techniques for the deconstruction of media in three of your media selections.
 * 2) Evaluate the effectiveness of the media message, the propaganda used, and the effectiveness of the media type for different audiences- adults and students in each of your three media selections. 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.
 * 3) Craft a professional letter to Youth Media proposing how to address the bias and point of view in the media message.