Communications Question

Description

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)