Overview
- For this assignment, you will apply the Critical Process discussed in Chapter 1 of the textbook (use steps 1 – 4: Description, Analysis, Interpretation, Evaluation) to an advertisement.
- You will analyze one aspect of identity - race or gender - in the ad.
Instructions:
Select an advertisement that has been published or broadcast in the US.
Analyze how race or gender is portrayed in the advertisement. Apply the 4 steps of the Critical Process to do this analysis.
Answer the following questions and submit your responses to Canvas. Please number your responses.
- What is media literacy and why is it important?
- What advertisement did you select and how did you choose it? (Paste a photo or include a link to the ad). Please note where and when the ad was published or broadcast.
- Discuss all 4 steps of the Critical Process and how race or gender is portrayed. Please list them step by step (Description, Analysis, Interpretation, Evaluation).**Refer to the section in Chapter 1 of the textboo Download section in Chapter 1 of the textbookfor a more detailed discussion of the Critical Process and the 4 steps.
- Refer to this pageLinks to an external site. from the Critical Media Project to help you think about why identity matters.
- Summarize your main points and/or conclusions from your analysis.
Resources:
- The Media Education Foundation has some great resources and guides for analyzing advertisements:
- Deconstructing an Ad_MEF.pdfDownload Deconstructing an Ad_MEF.pdf
- Deconstruct Video Ad_MEF.pdfDownload Deconstruct Video Ad_MEF.pdf
- The Critical Media ProjectLinks to an external site. has lots of excellent resources about race and gender in the media. The Critical Media Project is a free media literacy web resource.
- Why Identity Matters Download Why Identity Mattersfrom the Critical Media Project
- Critical Media Process Download Critical Media Processfrom textbook
Submission and Grading
- Length: Approximately 2 - 4 pages, with a minimum of 2 pages of text (longer if you are counting title/name etc.)
- Double-spaced, 1 inch margins, 12 point font