A Theory in Your Life Assignment | Homework for You
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Write about a time when you were “persuaded” by a media message to do (or buy or say) something. What was the result? What did you learn?
Consider the event in the context of (at least one) media effects theory discussed in class or from the textbook. Mention the theory and use it correctly, please. (Don’t say “mixed effects,” because that’s the category name for a bunch of theories. Also, no “vaccine/bullet” theory (because it’s not real) – and no “diffusion of innovation” theory, either, because it’s not on the test and because I only used it in the example for this assignment.)
Format:
Write subject-verb sentences in present voice. No sentence more than 15 words, because mass communicators need to be able to write simply as well as adapt to different writing styles for different situations.
New idea? Start a new paragraph. (Much media writing has only one idea per paragraph, and paragraphs are usually no more than three or four sentences. This is different from what you are taught in English classes.)
No lower-case “i” to refer to yourself. It’ll cost you eight points.
Good grammar/spelling/punctuation counts.
The theories
Identify examples of theories under each umbrella:
Direct: the discredited ‘hypodermic needle’ theory.
Limited: two-step flow
Mixed effect: Explanation, followed by agenda-setting, status conferral, gatekeeping, uses and gratifications, parasocial interaction, social learning theory, third-person effect, spiral of silence, cumulative effects, consistency theories, individual differences, cultivation theory.
Write a short essay describing a situation in your life—and what media effects theory best explains the situation.
