short paper

·  Mass Media Consumption Log (CM101 Short Paper #1).xlsx (48.593 KB)

Basics Length: 500 words Value: 100 points Format: Word Due: Sunday, June 2 at 11:59pm Overview One of the key steps to becoming more media literate is to grow aware of your own media consumption habits and your motivations for those habits. This short paper is intended to help you develop this awareness. Procedure For 12 consecutive hours, track your interactions with media. Media include television, film, radio, books, newspapers, magazines, Internet, mobile phones and others. These interactions should include both interpersonal mediated communication and mass communication. They might include (but certainly are not limited to!) any of the following:

· Sending text messages or e-mail through a cell phone

· Talking on a cell phone

· Watching a television show on a television, computer or other device

· Listening to the radio on a radio, on a computer, or other device

· Listening to a podcast

· Going to a movie in the theater

· Watching a movie on a television, computer, or other device

· Reading a book in print or on another device

· Checking the news online or on television

· Reading a newspaper, in print or online

· Listening to music on a portable player or laptop

· Surfing the Internet on a computer or other mobile device

Keep a log of these interactions and note the following information:

· Date

· Start time

· End time

· Type of media viewed*

· Technology(ies) used

· Alone or with company

· General mood

*i.e. film, commercial, television show, tweet, and the like Once you have completed your log, add up these totals:

· Hours you spent interacting with media

· Number of texts you consumed or created

· Number of types of technology you used

Next, read through your log and your totals carefully. Do you notice any patterns in the types of texts, moods, technologies, or other categories? Do you think this log fits a “typical” schedule for you? If not, what makes it different and why? Does any of the information surprise you? If so, why? Overall, what is your reaction to your log and why? What have you learned about your media consumption habits in keeping it? Will you change any of your habits as a result? Why or why not? Using one or two of these questions as a guide, develop a thesis and write your paper. Be sure to include a proper introduction and conclusion. In your introduction, you must include the totals of hours, shows and technology types along with your thesis. Use specific examples from your log to support your main points. In your conclusion consider if and how doing this log shows you anything surprising or revealing about your media consumption habits. Avoid

· Avoid providing a recount of your entire log. Instead, use your thesis to narrow down the focus of this short paper and use examples from the log to support your points.

· Avoid trying to cram your answers to all the above prompt questions into your paper. Your thesis will be your primary guide for the paper’s content, but do not feel compelled to answer all those questions. Answer the ones that relate to your thesis instead.

Additional Information Attached to this description, you will find additional information related to this assignment, including the following:

· Grading Rubric

· Log sheet