Description
Function
Our first article applied media-specific analysis to a close reading of selected passages from a single text. However, truly understanding the significance of a media franchise requires understanding how media participate in larger media ecologies, including:
The ecology of texts interacting within a media franchise.
The ecology of how media franchises circulate in society (technologies, platforms, distribution methods, economies, etc.)
The ecology of fans and audiences interacting with and developing communities around media franchises.
The ecology of cultural ideas and ideologies that both give meaning to media and take meaning from media.
The function of a media ecology analysis is to show how the significance of a text/franchise is entwined with one or more of these larger systems of significance. In other words, it explores how a text only comes to life (and becomes significant) by participating in a larger ecosystem.
Directions
Choose one of the four types of media ecology described above as your focus. Even though there is always overlap between these different ecologies, choosing a single primary focus will help give your article a clear purpose and structure.
Identify one significant pattern or meaningful relationship within your chosen ecology. Try to be as specific as possible. For example, instead or analyzing all texts within the franchise, you could isolate a particular shift such as a reboot or move into a new medium. Or, instead of analyzing all fan interactions, you could analyze fan videos that ship characters from the franchise.
Drawing on some combination of primary and/or secondary sources, describe how this ecological relationship works and why it matters. Your article should clearly and directly introduce readers to your focused analysis.
Constraints
1000-1600 words (does not count works cited page).
An ecological focus that looks at some dimension that moves beyond a single text.
Some specific details or examples to make your larger ecological argument more concrete.
Cite the media text and any other sources you use.
Objectives
Ecological Analysis (an interpretation of ecological connections or relationships important to the franchise)
Strive to clearly show how these complex relationship work and why they matter.
Close Readings (interpretation of specific pieces of textual evidence)
Strive to delve beneath the surface of the text to present valuable insights to your reader. Use your analysis of specific textual selections to further your thesis.
Structure (How you connect your ideas into a smoothly flowing, persuasive argument)
Strive to have all the elements of your paper contribute something unique and valuable to a single developing perspective.
Clarity (The quality of your writing, including style, tone, and grammar)
Strive to present your ideas clearly, concisely, and eloquently.
Sample Solution