essay about violent media

Progression III – Essay 3

Media Violence

Purpose:

·      To formulate a thesis and construct a convincing argument that supports the thesis.

·      To support that thesis with convincing reasons and criteria for evaluation.

·      To provide development and support for your ideas.

·      To demonstrate your understanding of essay structure and demonstrate your understanding of how to structure an academic argument.

Background:

In recent years, popular media seems to have become increasingly violent. This is particularly true of visuals in video games and on some Internet sites, but graphically violent images also appear regularly in films, on TV, in comic books, and even in newspapers. Some research has suggested that these violent images can have a negative effect on those who view them, particularly on adolescents and young children. In fact, some media critics believe that these violent images have helped to create an increasingly violent culture, which in turn has inspired young people to commit violent crimes. Others, however, argue that violent media images are not to blame for such events—and that, in fact, they provide a safe outlet for aggression.

Additional Requirements:

Make sure you include adequate support for your position with thoughtful consideration of all sides of the issue.  You are to reference at least 3 texts from the list below or from the CSUN library databases. Also, you are to refer to at least one specific visual example of violence in the media (for example: television, videos including U-Tube, movies, video games, or music videos). In referencing the visual examples make sure to include a complete analysis that will help the reader to situate and understand the reference (do not assume the reader has seen your visual example).

Articles on media violence:

• “Violent Media Numbs Viewers to Pain of Others” – WMIA, pg. 165
• “Hate Violence? Turn It Off!” – WMIA, pg. 167
•  “Violent Media is Good for Kids” – WMIA, pg. 181
• “Media Violence Debates” – Moodle
•  “Whodunit—the Media?” - Moodle

·      “Does Media Violence Lead to the Real Thing?” - Moodle

·       “Music Videos Promote Adolescent Aggression” - Moodle

·       “Does Fictional Violence Lead to Real Violence” – Moodle

·      “American Psychological Association” - Moodle

·       “When Life Imitates Video” - Moodle

This essay will be constructed as an academic argument and therefore should be well-reasoned, supported with logic based evidence from your readings, and balanced.  Preparation for this paper must include Exercise 1, Exercise 2, and Exercise 3 - proposal, as well as the 1^st draft with peer review and 2^nd draft.  It should be oriented toward a general, academic audience and will be evaluated according to the grading rubric for this course.

Paper Requirements:

·      5 pages (Minimum 5 FULL pages)

·      Times Roman - 12 point font

·      Double spaced

·      One-inch margins (not 1.25, check your default margin settings)

·      MLA documentation and style

·      MLA Works Cited page