The 5 key questions of media literacy

1. Who created this message and why? (What kind of "text" is it? What are the various elements (building blocks) that make up the whole?)

2. Which techniques are used to attract my attention or to make this message credible or believable?? ( Colors? Shapes? Size? • Sounds, Words? Silence? • Props, sets, clothing? • Movement? • Composition? Lighting? Where is the camera? What is the viewpoint? How is the story told visually? What are people doing? Are there any symbols? Visual metaphors? What's the emotional appeal? Persuasive devices used? What makes it seem "real? • Does it have statistics from a reputable source?)

3. How might different people interpret this message? (Have you ever experienced anything like this in your life? How close is this portrayal to your experience? How did the message make you feel? How it might feel to your parents?)

4. Which lifestyles, values, and points of view are represented -- or missing? (What type of person is the reader/watcher/listener invited to identify with? What questions come to mind as you watch/read/listen? What ideas or values are being "sold" to us in this message? What political ideas are communicated in the message? Economic ideas? What judgments or statements are made about how we treat other people? What is the overall worldview of the message? )

5. Why is this message being sent out? What is being left out? (What ideas or perspectives are left out? How would you find what's missing? Is the information balanced with different views -- or does it present only one side? Do you need more information to fully understand the message?)Five Core Concepts All media messages are 'constructed.' Media messages are constructed using a creative language with its own rules. Different people experience the same media message differently. =different understanding Media have embedded values and points of view. Most media messages are organized to gain profit and/or power.