Lesson Home Step by Step Vocabulary Sample Rubric Lecture Notes
 

Evaluating and Creating Media Messages

In today’s society, we are constantly bombarded by images. Most of the time, we absorb these images with little thought given to who created them and why. For this assignment, you will be finding images in the media and analyzing their composition and subtext or underlying messages.

First, choose one of the six areas or questions we have identified in our study of “What does it mean to be an American?”  

  • How does race matter in America?
  • How do issues of social class affect us as Americans?
  • Who and what define women’s roles in America?
  • What role should America play in international affairs?
  • What are the issues facing American families today?
  • How much of our individual rights should Americans sacrifice in order for the democracy to run smoothly?

Next, find images that relate to the issue or question you have chosen and identify the subtexts in the images. Find three images that contain different subtexts or messages relating to the issue you’ve chosen. If it is a digital image, save it to a folder you will create within your server document folder. In a Word document, create a citation for the image (see examples below). If your image is from a magazine, you will scan it and save it as a JPEG.

Once you have saved your images to your server folder, follow the Photo Shop: Step by Step Directions to create your collage. Remember to save your collage as a Photo Shop Document (.psd) until you are finished. Only then should you save it as a JPEG.

When you have finished your collage, place it in a Web page for presentation. For extra credit, also place your three original images onto your page as I have done in the Sample Product.

Evaluate your work using the Collage Rubric

Present your finished product to the class.

 

 


 

How to Cite an Online Image

Artist if Available. "Description or title of image." Date of image. Online image. Title of larger site. Date of download. <electronic address>.

How to Cite an Image from a Magazine

Artist if Available. "Description or title of image." Magazine title Publication Date: page number.

 

Created by Connie Lindsey
January 2006