Semester Project & Exam Presentation

About the project:
About the presentation:

You have learned a lot this semester about media and influences of media. Media is pervasive. It is aimed at all of us, even newborns (through their parents). We know that each media message is created by someone with a purpose. It is important to be literate, critical consumers of all types of media. This project gives you a chance to synthesize what you have learned over the semester and show what you know. Each project will be individual, based on a student's choices. Your exam is a presentation of a project that you create.

Create your project by combining elements from the boxes below.

Choose a media focus as your lens:

The sub-topics are only suggestions; you are NOT limited to these. Review your handouts from earlier this year to remind you about topics in media for more ideas.
  • kids and media
    • advertising and kids
    • violence and children
    • marketing through movies
    • values aimed at teens
    • stereotypes
  • gender and media
    • gender roles
    • stereotypes
    • body image
    • sexism
    • fair representation
  • diversity and media
    • race, disability, socioeconomic diversity
      • stereotypes
      • fair representation
      • hate crimes
  • news bias/fairness
    • omission (what we're not told)
    • partisan coverage
    • First Amendment issues
    • sensationalism
Choose a media genre to study:

(Cite this/these in your works cited also).
  • movie
  • documentary film
  • television series (comedy/drama; four or more episodes)
  • news program (four or more episodes)
  • talk show (four or more episodes)
  • magazine (four or more issues)
  • video game
  • CD (not just one song)
  • other: present your idea to your teacher
Add research.

You need at least three sources from the list to the right:
  • newspaper article
  • magazine article
  • book
  • personal interview with expert
  • television or radio transcript
  • web site (only credible sites)
  • NO encyclopedia sources allowed

You will be citing your sources using MLA style. Keep a good record of what you use. See your Falcon Skills and Style Handbook.
Product:
  • binder
  • web site

This is to be turned in before the presentation. See your teacher for a due date.
Contents: The following elements go in this order in the binder and are linked logically in your web site:
  1. Cover
  2. Table of Contents
  3. Prologue: Give an overview of your project. Set up what your reader will see. (minimum 150 words)
  4. Research section: This is where you write your analysis of your study. This section should be 5-7 pages in length and should reflect your serious study of an important media issue. See more details below for this part.
  5. Epilogue: This is your personal reflection about what you have learned. This part should be written in first person. (minimum 300 words)
  6. Works Cited page (See FSSH for format)
  • If you choose a binder, everything must be typed and double spaced.
  • If you choose a web site, double spacing is not preferred. Use only web safe fonts and a color scheme that does not interfere with visual presentation.
More about the Research Section Details:
  • Name your media focus and the specific aspect you are studying and why it is important (one paragraph).
  • State the title of the particular media genre you studied, where you saw/read it, and give a summary of its content. For example, The Oprah Winfrey show is on ___ network each day ____ . Topics on the show include _______. (two-three paragraphs).
  • Write your thesis paragraph next. This is the paragraph in which you pull your media focus and your media genre together. How are they linked? What are you trying to show? For example, The Oprah Winfrey show creates an environment in which women, especially women of color, are valued. She also attempts to teach important life values such as ___, ___, and ____. (one paragraph)
  • The next section is where you develop your thesis. This is where you weave in your source material. (Check your research paper from last year for a reminder. You can also refer to the FSSH). This section will be approximately 3-5 pages. Rely on a good outline to help you organize your ideas in a logical way.
  • Clips, pictures, drawings, charts, graphs, or other visual examples. that help you develop your ideas should be added. Leave room in text when you type (for binder); hyperlink to them on your web page. Your visuals should not exceed two pages total.
  • There should be a concluding paragraph for this section.

Rubric

 

Presenting your project (semester exam):
Your presentation: Your presentation is a 5-7 minute speech in which you detail the most important things you learned. You should also briefly show your web site or your binder. If you need to, you can use PowerPoint, but it is not required. Your presentation will be evaluated based on the following:
  • completeness, ideas fully developed
  • word choice (appropriate for formal presentation; no slang, etc)
  • good oral presentation skills: voice, body language, eye contact
  • seriousness of purpose (in general)
  • cite your sources verbally (according to, as reported in, etc.)

Your project is graded using a separate rubric.

Rubric

 

> media & lit main > syllabus > calendar > media > multicultural lit > semester exam > ms hogue's web >

© Dawn Hogue, 2004