Critical Questions

Adapted from the Trent Think Tank's materials on Media Literacy, Ontario, Canada, 1989.

1) WHO is communicating and why? This refers to advertisers, producers, TV networks, etc. Keep in mind that there may be more than one person or group speaking and they may be doing so for different reasons.

2) WHAT TYPE of text (or medium) is it? Is it television, film, a book, a photograph, magazine, etc.? A combination? In this case, "text" is the physical form the media project takes.

3) HOW is it produced? Is it video, film, computer-based, print-based, etc.?

4) HOW do we know what it means? What kinds of social and cultural images or communication patterns does the media project use to allow people to read the meaning? Examples include fairy tales, detective stories, clothing/fashion, speech, etc.

5) WHO receives it and what sense do they make of it? What kinds of different groups is the media project targeted for?

6) How does it PRESENT its subject? What styles or aesthetic codes are being used?

For each media project presented or explored during the course students will be encourage to address these critical questions in your reflections or reactions.