Media Study Instructions/ Outline
To complete your media study, you should first view the film/read the book several times,
taking notes on the details, including dialogue, imagery, and the actions of the characters. Look
for connections to concepts you have encountered in the course readings. Find three specific
and distinct (different!) concepts that are related in some way to the film. Connections do not
have to be direct or explicit, but you need to be able to provide sufficient evidence for why the
concept is related in some way to the film. Connections can include examples and/or non-
Examples.
Use the following outline to develop your media analysis paper (in this order):
I. Introduction
Begin your paper by introducing the reader to the media in an interesting way. Think of an
important question or unique situation that emerges from the media. Explain why you chose
this particular media and describe how it relates to child development.
II. Media Details
Describe the media details, including: Year of release/publication, film company/publisher (i.e.
Disney, Dreamworks, Scholastic, Penguin, etc.) director/ screenwriter/author, public reception
(what people said about it). Be sure to cite any sources you use (quote or paraphrase).
III. Plot Summary
In your own words, describe in detail the plot, setting, and characters of the media.
Do not plagiarize other sources; this should be your own words.
IV. Course Connection 1
Describe a connection to course readings. You may include references to other sources, but
each connection must cite at least one assigned course reading.
V. Course Connection 2
Describe a connection to course readings. You may include references to other sources, but
each connection must cite at least one assigned course reading.
VI. Course Connection 3
Describe a connection to course readings. You may include references to other sources, but
each connection must cite at least one assigned course reading.
VII. Conclusion
Restate the course connections to the media and summarize what you learned in the project
and/or questions for future inquiry.
VIII. References
Include all sources cited (quoted or paraphrased). Use APA format.
Important: You will be evaluated on the content described above as well as mechanics. Check
off each item on this outline and run spelling and grammar-check before submitting your paper.
Papers with excessive errors will be returned for revision and a point penalty will be applied.
Sample Solution