Grade 8 English Language Arts Focus on Media How to Evaluate Media Text

What are Media Text Media Text: Any media product that can be deconstructed and analyzed. Media texts include all of the things that you read, listen to, watch, and see.

Why Evaluate Media Text? Behind every media text there is a creator with a message they are trying to convey. All media texts are influenced by the values of their creators.

Values may not always be obvious Often you need to look at what is not shown to find hidden messages or values For boys? For girls? How do you know?

Consumers of Media We are all consumers of media It is important to make choices about the media we consume based on our own values. We should not allow our values to be overwhelmed by someone else's values or ideas. By analyzing the media text you consume you are able to see the values, hidden or open, that you are consuming

Questions to Consider When Evaluating Media Text Do the text represent me or my peers? My family? Is the situation realistic? Or is it fantasy? Do the characters in the text represent my values? Can I think of someone who would find this media offensive or upsetting