Article Project Questionnaire

 Answers

Which of the 8 rules of Media Literacy is illustrated in the Beauty and Body Image article? Why and how?

1. One of the 8 rules in Media Literacy that is reflected in the Body and Image article, is that all media is constructed. This article talks about a topic that discusses women's struggle and distress with their own bodies. It has been carefully organized into different categories that all backup the main idea they want to publish. Rule #2 is also shown in this article. In general, the way think is very much influenced by media, which we see in our everyday lives. As you read through this article, you will decide on your own opinion, and be able to make your own conclusion. However, with all of the evidence and facts this article provides, it will try to persuade you to think otherwise. Media around the world can be negotiated of how it will be presented to its audience. Rule #4,5,6 are also shown in this article. Media needs to be a profitable business, so it will always be trying to advertise something, whether or not the readers understand it from their perspective. In this article, a valuable message is trying to be enhanced by stating the dangers of being underweight, and the importance of being comfortable with your own body.

The article on advertising to children is a great example of media constructing reality (#2 rule of Media Literacy). Can you think of an example of media constructed reality aimed at teens? Tell me what it is and how it constructs reality.

2. A good example of constructed reality aimed at teens would be all of the T.V shows focused on school or the lives of teenagers from a very dramatic setting. It pinpoints life in middle or high school much more complicated than it really is. Some teenagers enter high school already thiking it will be the worst four years of their lives.

The commercial implications (#4) of media literacy are illustrated in The Economics of Ethnicity link. Do you think most media does a good job of showing what your real life is like? The number of minority people you see daily, the kinds of problems you have in real life, the way those problems get solved - are these things that you see in TV shows, movies and advertising?

3.  No, unfortunately, I think most media does not do a good job to show what my real life is like. First of all, all media needs to make a profit, so they need some sort of rating or awareness among the public they are trying to reach. I don't see many T.V shows focusing on our real daily lives or the common people we see everyday, because it would simply be too boring for any of us to want to watch. Even if a minor percetange of the media bussiness does try to make an effort to relate to its viwers, we all have a wide variety of problems in our lives, and most aren't mentioned out there.