MEDIA ANALYSIS PAPER: 70 POINTS INSTRUCTIONS In this paper, you will analyze a media “text” defined as a film or TV/streaming show (or a scene or character within), song lyrics, newspaper article, blog post, social media post or article, website, book, magazine, video game, advertisement, or commercial. Media text is defined here in the broadest sense as any work that communicates meaning that can be interpreted. The more narrow and specific the text you choose, though, the more focused the analysis, which is typically the best approach. In some cases, however, you may want to use related examples (two scenes from the same series or two ads for the same product, for example). Through the lens of communication, gender, and culture, you’ll examine how the text uses language and/or nonverbal cues, analyzing its impact on the text itself and its audience. • Name, describe, and explain the media text. Provide a clear name for the text and explanation of where it is located. For example, you might analyze an episode or scene from the Netflix series Orange is the New Black. Identify the title and episode of this program in the introduction of your paper, along with a concise description of the context of the text (no longer than 2/3rds of a page). Or, for example, you might choose to analyze an Axe body spray ad. The explanation of the ad should describe what you find most significant and plan to examine. Ask yourself if a reader would be able to understand your description of the text without access to it. That said, make sure you provide an APA citation of the text in your end references. Also, you will need to provide— and bold or underline—your thesis statement in your introduction. For example: “More recent Axe body spray ads have attempted to challenge masculine stereotypes.” Don’t use this particular example in your paper, though. • Provide examples of verbal and/or nonverbal communication in the media text and their impact on an audience. You should describe a minimum of three uses of gendered language and/or nonverbal messages in the media text and explain how you think they affect an audience. For example, an analysis of Gal Gadot’s character in Wonder Woman may identify her costume as an example of a gendered nonverbal message. Additionally, you should explain how that nonverbal message might be received by specific audiences. How would a parent respond to the costume? How would a child respond to this costume? • Apply and synthesize course materials. Choose a minimum of two course concepts to apply to the examples of verbal and/or nonverbal communication you have described in the media text. For example, you might use “power feminism” as a framework for understanding Wonder Woman’s costume. Or you might see “transphobia” illustrated in dialogue from a scene in Orange is the New Black. Make the connections between these concepts and the text explicit. FORMAT • Develop your topic in 1500–2000 words. Use traditional academic essay format for your research paper. This includes an introduction with a thesis statement, a body of the essay in paragraph form, and a conclusion. • Paragraphs should be standard length (at least 1/3rd page, at most 2/3rds page). • Papers must be double spaced with 1-inch margins and 12-point Times New Roman font. • Papers should follow APA 7e guidelines, which include a cover page, page numbers, and a source page entitled “References.” Do not, however, include an APA abstract. It is not required and will not count toward your word total. For further queries about APA style, see the video tutorials on our Canvas site. • Paraphrasing material allows you to maintain your own voice and style while demonstrating mastery of another’s material. Paraphrased content still requires a citation, however. For direct quotes, use at most three, and limit their length to one or two sentences. Please review this helpful site on APA style that distinguishes between these two methods and explains how to avoid plagiarism: https://apastyle.apa.org/instructional-aids/avoiding-plagiarism.pdf • Give your paper a meaningful title: “Media Analysis Paper” is a generic assignment name, not an appropriate title. SOURCES As a research paper, this analysis should be supported primarily with academic analysis and scholarly research. Relevant personal observations and examples might occasionally supplement your discussion but should be kept to a minimum. You must cite at least two peer-reviewed academic journal articles and cite our textbook at least twice. Journal articles reviewed by experts in the subject area offer authoritative in-depth information about your topic. Please watch the short video tutorials in the paper guidelines module for an overview of how to search for peer-reviewed articles and use APA style. Please note this modification of APA style, however: When you cite our textbook in the body of your paper, you don’t need to identify the authors’ sources if indicated, but you do need to include either the eBook section number (e.g., Fixmer-Oraiz & Wood, 2019, 3-4c) or the print-book page number (e.g., Fixmer-Oraiz & Wood, 2019, p. 156). Specify this for any direct quotes and for more general supporting material for your assertions. This information facilitates finding and checking your references to textbook content. Citing PowerPoints for the book is not a substitute for citing the actual book. Note as you’re reading our textbook the plethora of research cited within each chapter, specific sources that provide evidence for the authors’ arguments and assertions, information that is typically paraphrased. These citations are compiled in their entirety in References at the end of the eBook. Both the in-text citations and end references in the textbook also serve as a style guide for how to format various kinds of APA citations in your paper. Many sources cited in our eBook can be downloaded at the ASU library along with a wealth of other content on your given topic. Be aware, however, that although you may also use books, non-academic articles, popular press magazines, web sites and blogs, none of these will count toward the required scholarly sources. GENERATIVE AI AI can indeed write a research paper, but ChatGPT and the like cannot write YOUR research paper in YOUR voice. Because developing critical thinking skills is an objective in this course—and because original researching and writing are activities fundamental to that goal—your final product should not be an AI product in overall style and substance. In other words, don’t simply copy and paste AI-generated content. If an AI detection tool suggests this is the case, the grader will further examine the work for common issues with AI-generated material, such as obvious errors and fabricated references as well as content that does not respond to the prompt or resemble a student’s other writing. You should save drafts that document your process at various stages. Renaming your file allows you to carry on with little interruption while preserving a record of your ethical approach to the assignment and your desire to actually learn the material. In this course, if you decide to use generative AI technology, consider the following guidelines, and remember that, like all other sources, AI must be cited: How to Cite ChatGPT (APA website); ASU Library Guide on Citing Generative AI Models. You should also, of course, ensure any AI-generated citations are correct. Because generative AI tools are notorious for their “hallucinating” and “bias,” this flowchart discourages their use in research: https://www.aiforeducation.io/ai-resources/student-guide-ai-use This second more detailed set of guidelines, however, supports their strategic use in the research phase— in combination with more reliable sources and course materials that you should examine first: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1p4mXxBG9BMDovp... bilebasic?fbclid=IwAR11aionXxcWKiyTv6QUsrMPbPHBKJiRYCLrusqUntk2Y_0GAyJqgQbUOI8 GRADING RUBRIC Components Points Essay and APA format /5 Name and description of media text /5 Explanation of three messages (verbal and/or nonverbal) /15 Description of impact of messages on audience(s) /10 Application of two course concepts /20 Sources meet guidelines for number, relevance, citation style /10 Writing mechanics (grammar, spelling, etc.) /5 Total /70 SUBMISSION • All papers must be posted using the appropriate link in the Research Papers Submissions module, below the Guidelines module, in Canvas no later than 11:59 pm on the given date indicated in the Research Paper Sign-Up at the bottom of Module 0. See the syllabus for the policy on late papers. • Your paper will be checked by Turnitin, required plagiarism-detection software. This score is available to you once you submit your paper. https://help.turnitin.com/Resources/PDF/understand...-Media Analysis Paper (1) Media Analysis Paper (1) Criteria Ratings Pts This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeFormatEssay and APA format 5 pts Full Credit 0 pts No Credit 5 pts This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeMedia TextName and description of media text 5 pts Full Credit 0 pts No Credit 5 pts This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeExplain three messagesExplanation of three messages (verbal and/or nonverbal) 15 pts Full Credit 0 pts No Credit 15 pts This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeAudience ImpactDescription of impact of messages on audience(s) 10 pts Full Credit 0 pts No Credit 10 pts This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeApplication of Course ConceptsApplication of two course concepts 20 pts Full Credit 0 pts No Credit 20 pts This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeSourcesSources meet guidelines for number, relevance, citation style 10 pts Full Credit 0 pts No Credit 10 pts This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeMechanicsWriting mechanics (grammar, spelling, etc.) 5 pts Full Credit 0 pts No Credit 5 pts Total Points: 70
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