Media Literacy Skill: Evaluating
Evaluation is assessing the worth of an element. This process of assessing the value of something basically requires the comparing or an element to a standard. If you judge that the element meets your standard, then you conclude that the element is unacceptable. And if you judge the element exceeds your standard, then you conclude that the element is excellent (or some positive synonym) because it has not only met but also exceeded the standard.
This is what happens when we process media messages. We assign each message a value and by evaluating what significance it has for us. If the message agrees with us then we accept it (continuing watching the program, reading the article, etc.), if it doesn’t then we reject it (turn it off, stop reading, etc.), if we find it interesting and want to learn more we might even pursue or research it (find more articles, watch more shows like it, etc.). Whatever we do, it serves our personal purpose, so the media has be very careful and purposeful with what they produce
Assignments
Students will write a 500-word evaluation paper examining some of the prominent and prevalent communication media effects theories listed below. These theories outline and describe how we interpret and process media messages and they may influence human behaviors perceptions, ideas, thoughts, interactions, and practices. In short, these scientifically proven, and thoroughly researched theories show us how we process and react to information.
- Agenda Setting explains that the media are subjective in what they present as news and what they emphasize as being the most important news, thereby setting an agenda for what we concern ourselves with.
- Spiral of Silence theory is the tendency of people not to speak up about policy issues in public when they believe their own point of view is not widely shared.
- Authoritarian theory describes that all forms of communication are under the control of the governing elite or authorities or people of significant influence.
- Cultivation theory proposes that people who watch television frequently are more likely to be influenced by the message from the world of television. The influence goes to such an extent that their world view and perceptions start reflecting what they repeatedly see and hear on television.
- Uses and Gratifications proposes that people choose to consume certain kinds of media because they expect to obtain specific gratifications because of those selections.
Directions:
You will select and research ONE of the theories listed to focus on for this writing assignment. You should use a variety of resources (scholarly papers, videos, podcasts, etc.) to gather information about the theory you choose.You must cite at least 3 resources and provide examples from your own experiences. Feel free to pick a cause or issue that you are passionate about and discuss how the media has influenced public opinion and thought.
Think about how the media has used one of these effects to influence public opinion and/or thought. Find and link to articles, videos, podcasts, etc. to help illustrate your point and develop the summary part of your reaction paper. Complete your assignment using the parameters listed in the assignment section above.
For example, the Tedtalk, Enough With the Fear of Fat is aimed at dismantling society’s obsession with how much someone weighs. Many of Americans are obsessed with weight. Don’t you think? The presenter, Kelli Jean Drinkwater is a self-proclaimed “radical fat activist” who wants to change the perception of being fat. Her TedTalk is extremely informative and thought provoking. This would be a great example of the communication theories of agenda setting and cultivation theory because we live in a society where thin is in. It would be easy to provide examples like how celebrities are constantly being fat shamed (Kelly Clarkson, Lizzo) and how some celebrities are celebrated for their body shapes (Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez).
Make sure you review Chapter 4: Evaluating: Making Judgments About the Value of Media Messages in your recommended text, 7 Skills of Media Literacy and use the Module 2: How to Write an Evaluation Essay to help you organize and complete your work.
Grading:
This is a “Gordon Rule” course. The Gordon Rule requires students in Florida public universities to complete a minimum of writing intensive courses. FIU Gordon Rule courses meet this requirement by assigning several writing assignments, sequenced throughout the course, typically totaling 3,500 words or more. At FIU, in a Gordon Rule course, writing will be evaluated based on the following characteristics:
- Driven by a clear thesis or controlling idea.
- Supports thesis with adequate reasons and evidence.
- Displays sustained analysis and critical thought.
- Is organized clearly and logically.
- Shows knowledge of conventions of formal written English.
- Shows awareness of disciplinary conventions regarding content, style, form, and delivery method.
Reminders and Policies
- Make sure that you proofread your work prior to submission.
- Upload a Word Document to Canvas.
- Paper must be double-spaced. Use page numbers, but do not use title pages and/or page runners.
- Use 12 pt. Times Roman typeface
- Do not ignore or write over the word count! Assignments that go over the word count will lose 10% of the final grade. (See rubric below). Word counts will be checked. Please put your word count at the bottom of the paper.
- Don't forget to include a reference page at the end of the reaction paper. Visit The Roughwriter's Guide APA References Page by Dr. Karen Palmer for correct format.
- Late assignments will not be accepted, and technical difficulties ARE NOT an acceptable excuse for late work. If you experience technical issues, contact Canvas Technical Support.
- Students are encouraged and required to complete and submit original work created by them without the use of any automated tools(as outlined in FIU’s Student Conduct and Honor Code), including any use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) programs in this course. This course utilizes the Turnitin Artificial Intelligence (AI) Writing Detection Tool. https://pressbooks.pub/roughwritersguide/chapter/list-of-sources-apa-references-page/
https://www.ted.com/talks/kelli_jean_drinkwater_enough_with_the_fear_of_fat