Unit 8 Lesson 2 Mass Media
Check In:
- Radio, television, and the internet are three types of mass media.
- Not every mass media source presents information in an honest way, so it is important for you to evaluate and critically analyze the information you receive.
- A byline is important because it tells you whether an author is credible and responsible for the content.
- The term production values refers to the quality of the presentation of a media piece, including visuals, sound, and editing, regardless of the accuracy of its information.
Practice:
- When you evaluate information, you are doing analyzing the content for reliability, accuracy, bias, and relevance to ensure that you can trust and understand its significance.
- You can tell that the information on a website is accurate and reliable by checking the author’s credentials, looking for citations of reputable sources, verifying the information with other credible sources, and reviewing the site’s design and professionalism.
- Informational articles may occasionally contain opinions, but they should primarily present facts. While the primary purpose is to inform, the author's perspective may influence the presentation of facts, thus incorporating some subjective elements. However, pure opinion pieces will typically be categorized separately.
- The production values of a website or TV program tell you about the professionalism and resources invested in its creation, as higher production values might imply more credibility and perceived authority, though it does not guarantee accuracy or truthfulness.
Unit 8 Lesson 2 - Read the Script on Page 12
- Who do you think created this commercial? Typically, a marketing team or advertising agency creates such commercials.
- What is the main message of the commercial? What is the point of view in another message that the commercial sends? The main message may be promoting a product or service, while another underlying message might be appealing to the viewer's emotions or aspirations, suggesting that using the product may improve their life.
- Who benefits if people believe the main message of the commercial? Why? The company that produces the product benefits if people believe the main message, as increased consumer belief often leads to higher sales and greater market share.
Unit 8 Lesson 3 - Propaganda and Bias
Key Words:
- Bandwagon appeal - A propaganda technique that suggests that everyone is doing something, so you should too, creating a sense of necessity to conform.
- Glittering generalities - Emotional phrases that evoke positive feelings but lack substantive meaning, used to promote a product or idea without providing evidence.
- Propaganda - Information, often biased or misleading, used to promote a particular political cause or point of view.
- Snob appeal - A tactic that suggests that using a product elevates the consumer to a higher social class, making them feel superior.
Check In:
- “95% of all Americans eat our cereal for breakfast!” Bandwagon
- “If you vote for me, I promise to make your dreams come true.” Glittering generality
- “When I’m recording a hit album, I don’t have time to wash my hair every day. That’s why I use this special shampoo.” Snob appeal
Practice:
- Ad Text Using Snob Appeal: “Join the elite group of individuals who enjoy the luxury of our all-natural skincare line. Don’t just fit in; stand out as someone who understands quality and sophistication. When you use our products, you’re not just taking care of your skin; you’re showcasing your status and refinement to the world.”
Check In:
- If a news report presents only one side of a story, then the article is biased.
- Stereotypes are overgeneralizations that classify groups or ideas, usually in unflattering ways.
- Bias and stereotyping generally are negative forms of communication.
Unit 8 Lesson 4 - Point-of-View
Key Words:
- Advertising - A method of communication aimed at promoting products or services to consumers.
- Point-of-View - The perspective from which information is conveyed.
Check In:
- Advertising is any kind of promotional message that is paid for by a sponsor.
- The main goals of advertising are to inform people about something and to persuade people to do something.
- An advertisement’s point of view is its underlying point.
- The point of view of an ad’s creator affects how the story of the product or service will be told.
Practice:
- What perspective does the presenter have?
- Are diverse viewpoints represented in the presentation?
- Is the intent of the program clear, and does it aim to inform or persuade?
Summary of Conversation: Discussing these questions can help identify bias and ensure that multiple perspectives are represented. Understanding the intent of the program can guide viewers to critically analyze the information presented.
Unit 8 Lesson 5 - Safe Practices, Ethics, and Fair Use
Ethical Standards:
- Ethical standards are principles that guide decisions about what is right or wrong in behavior, ensuring actions promote fairness, respect, and integrity.
Check In (True/False):
- Social media messages do not have real-world consequences. False
- There is no universal set of ethical standards - each person must develop their own. True
- One example of an ethical standard is “don’t run near the pool.” True
- Because cyberbullying is often anonymous, it is not as hurtful as other types of bullying. False
Social Media Safety:
- Avoid sharing personal information publicly, such as your location or contact details.
- Use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication to protect your accounts.
Identity Theft:
- Identity theft is the unauthorized use of someone else's personal information, typically to steal money or obtain benefits.
Can Something on the Internet Be Erased?
- Not entirely; although content can be deleted, it can still be stored or accessed through backups or other means.
Key Word:
- Fair use: A legal doctrine that permits limited use of copyrighted material without having to obtain permission from the rights holders.
Unit 8 Lesson 6 - Citations and Attributions
Key Words:
- Attribution - The act of crediting or acknowledging the source of information, ideas, or creative work.
- Copyright - A legal right that grants the creator of original work exclusive rights to its use and distribution.
Practice:
- Three places where attribution appears: [Specific examples would depend on the text provided or readings.]
Definitions:
- Citation: A reference to a published or unpublished source, giving credit to the original author.
- Plagiarism: The act of using someone else's work, ideas, or expressions without proper acknowledgment, presenting them as one's own.
- Works Cited page: A list of sources at the end of a document that provides full citation information for all referenced works.
Match Terms Definition:
- Plagiarism - The failure to credit the original source of material.
- Citation - A note or reference to a source of information.
- Attribution - The act of naming the source of information or ideas.
Practice:
- Research Topic: [Choose a specific topic based on interest].
- Paragraph Including Citations:
- “Recent studies show that reading enhances cognitive skills (Smith, 2023). Additionally, engaging with diverse literature expands cultural awareness (Johnson, 2022). By incorporating these practices, individuals can significantly improve their mental agility.”
Copyright Law:
- Copyright law is a set of laws that protect the exclusive rights of creators over their original works, preventing unauthorized use and distribution.
Creative Commons Discussion:
- Creative Commons was founded so that people could exchange ideas freely and easily. True
- With an Attribution (CC BY) license, others may use your work, modify it, distribute it, or even sell it, without giving you credit. False
- Attribution ShareAlike (CC BY-SA) license forces people to use the same Attribution ShareAlike license for any work they produce that is derived from your original. True
Independent Reading Book (IRB)
- Title: [Your chosen title here]
- Author: [Your chosen author here]
- Genre: [Your chosen genre here]
- Subgenre: [Your chosen subgenre here]
- Lexile Level of the Book: [Lexile level here]
- Your Lexile Score: [Your Lexile score here]
Central Idea(s):
- Central Idea: [Summarize the main concepts presented in the book or critical themes].
Objective Summary:
- Summary: [Provide an overview of the book’s plot, themes, or arguments presented, focusing on essential information and insights].
Feel free to adjust any responses, add personal insight, or use your own examples as needed!