Analyzing News, Political Cartoons, and Media Reports Take careful notes of the following information. It will show up on a test!

First: What is the text about? the subject matter You need to show you have understood the text's subject matter and content. You need to show you have understood the text's subject matter and content. You will also need to be able to locate details and discuss them (do you get the texts big picture?). You will also need to be able to locate details and discuss them (do you get the texts big picture?).big picturebig picture

Second: Who has the text been written for? the audience This is very important: you need to consider audience carefully. This is very important: you need to consider audience carefully. Writing about audience means recognizing and showing how a text has been created to suit a particular kind of reader. Writing about audience means recognizing and showing how a text has been created to suit a particular kind of reader. When a writer is asked to write a text, one of the key questions is who the text is aimed at? With knowledge of the audience, then the writer can choose the texts - content, vocabulary and tone. When a writer is asked to write a text, one of the key questions is who the text is aimed at? With knowledge of the audience, then the writer can choose the texts - content, vocabulary and tone.

Third: Why was the text written? the writer's purpose This means recognizing the messages in the text. This means recognizing the messages in the text. Look on the surface- what is the obvious message? Look on the surface- what is the obvious message? Look below the surface- are there layers of meaning? Is there a symbolic message? Look below the surface- are there layers of meaning? Is there a symbolic message?

Fourth: How has the text has been made to 'work' for its audience & purpose? the writer's methods You need to be able to identify the methods a writer has used to create the the text. This includes considering the text's style, language and structure. You need to be able to identify the methods a writer has used to create the the text. This includes considering the text's style, language and structure.

Fourth: How has the text has been made to 'work' for its audience & purpose? the writer's methods Discuss the effects of these methods on the audience. Are they more or less persuaded? Discuss the effects of these methods on the audience. Are they more or less persuaded? Look closely at the language and layout used in the text. Look closely at the language and layout used in the text. How is language being used – what is the tone and what is the purpose of the tone? How is language being used – what is the tone and what is the purpose of the tone? How does the layout helping the text support the purpose for its audience? How does the layout helping the text support the purpose for its audience?

Parts of a Media Report Headlines Headlines Camera Camera Shots Images Images Sources Sources Witnesses Witnesses Quotes Length Anchor/Presenter Design Layout

Vocabulary- Which words are new to you? What you already know: Writers purpose Writers purpose Audience Audience Information text Information text Facts Facts Humor Humor Stereotype Stereotype Loaded Language Loaded Language Tone Tone New concepts: Context Irony Hyperbole Story focus Scope