Media Text Critical Analysis
Feel free to Pick one media “text” to critique; this can be a commercial, TV episode, lengthy news article, movie, magazine advertisement, televised speech, photograph, etc., and write a 2-page critical analysis of the media text.
Essentially, a critical analysis is an examination and evaluation of the subject. You will need to evaluate what makes it effective (or not effective), how it is structured, how it appeals to an audience, why it is important, etc.
This is not an assignment about what you like or don’t like on a personal level. For example, if you disagree with the views expressed in an article or don’t like a product being advertised, that’s OK. But it’s not the type of critical analysis needed for this assignment. You will need to go deeper, using critical thinking skills to examine and evaluate the “text” and write about it as a media evaluation.
One point to remember: You will need to write the report in third-person style, avoiding “I think” or “I believe.”
Make sure that whatever you choose to evaluate will provide you with enough information for a strong 2-page report.
Here’s an outline for how you can structure your report.
• INTRODUCTION
Grabs attention
Provides context/background.
Thesis.
• TOPIC A
1st assertion or point to prove the topic
Proof/evidence: excerpted quotes or examples
Commentary/discussion: How does quote support point? What does it show or prove?
2nd assertion/point
Proof/evidence
Commentary discussion
Clincher
• TOPIC B
Same model as Topic A
• TOPIC C
Same model as Topic A
• CONCLUSION
Restate thesis (in different words),
Most significant and why (What is the most important thing learned?)
Final Clincher: Close with a strong statement that reflects title.
