THE CRITICAL PROCESS BEHIND MEDIA LITERACY

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THE CRITICAL PROCESS BEHIND MEDIA LITERACY

Becoming literate about the communication media involves striking a balance between taking a critical stand (developing knowledgeable interpretations and judgments) and being tolerant of diverse forms of expression (appreciating the distinctive variety of cultural products and processes). Finding this balance in a media-literate critical perspective involves completing five overlapping stages that build on one another.

Stage One: Description Examples
Develop descriptive skills associated with breaking down a story into character types and plot structure. Focus on how music, dialogue, camerawork, and editing come together in a way that encourages audience engagement. Master the terms and understand the techniques of telling stories in a particular medium.
  • Describe how the conventions of the documentary are used in sitcoms like Modern Family or The Office.
  • Describe the use of retro-sounding music in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
Stage Two: Analysis Examples
Focus on and discuss the significant patterns that emerge during the Description stage. Make connections. How does this song or story connect with other items of popular culture?
  • How does the satirical approach of The Colbert Report compare to that of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart?
  • What are the similarities and differences between Fox & Friends and NBC’s Today?
Stage Three: Interpretation Examples
Interpret findings. Ask “What does it mean?” If there is a distinct pattern, what is the cause or reason? Consider whether comedy, irony, and satire complicate this stage of the critical process.
  • What does the presence of criminal protagonists mean for shows like Dexter, Weeds, and Breaking Bad?
  • What does it mean when Jeff Dunham fashions a comedy act around “Achmed, the Dead Terrorist”? Why do Dunham’s fans find the “I keel you” line so funny?
Stage Four: Evaluation Examples
Arrive at a critical judgment that goes beyond your personal tastes. Does the media product under analysis cause harm? Does it inspire thought? Does it perpetuate a dehumanizing view of a group? Does it promote active citizenship or passive consumerism?
  • The movie adaptation of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo depicts scenes of rape and torture. Should the movie be condemned for promoting violence against women?
  • The villain in The Muppets (2011) is a greedy oil tycoon. Is this film anticapitalist propaganda?
Stage Five: Engagement Examples
Make your voice heard. Take action that connects your critical perspective to your role as a citizen. Become involved in doing your part to challenge media institutions and make them accountable.
  • Write letters to media editors about blind spots in news coverage.
  • Contact companies that perpetuate harmful images of women in their advertising and recommend more socially responsible ways of selling their products.