Chapter 10 Media and Popular Culture

1. Chapter 10Media and Popular Culture By: Mindy Adams Zaklina Tylor Radnic Chris Simko

2. Course Outcome As a next step in a hierarchy of English classes, English 102 focuses on further development of writing abilities learned in English 101. Main outcome expected is for students to develop the ability of critical reading and thinking. By that, it is meant that students should be able to do thorough research on a given topic, present different points of view related to the topic, draw conclusions based on the evidence, while giving proper credit to the sources and keeping it in a correct citation form. Navigating through chapter 10 Media and Popular Culture we will explore the role Media has played in American Culture. American culture has moved from a print based to the preference of electronic entertainment. We will read various passages and focus on comprehension of the passages as well as the Rhetoric’s.

3. Rhetorical Mode Rhetorical modes also know as modes of discourse are ways in which main idea of the paper is presented. There are seven different rhetorical modes such as: argument, cause-effect, classification, comparison/contrast, description, extended definition, exemplification, and narration. (www.tc.umn.edu) One of the most popular rhetoric modes is narration. Narration is telling a story with as many details as possible. It should always include location and time of the event that is being described. In narration story telling from introducing the circumstance, building it to the climax, and finishing it up with falling action that leads to conclusion. As always in academic writing focus should be on the events that actually happened and true story should be told.

4. Media and popular culture • In our world today we are exposed to images, sounds, and texts in many forms of media. In America we are exposed to these in various mediums such as radio, television, print, internet websites, newspapers, and new technological developments like cell phone applications. These mediums all can offer a different presentation of their material. The receiver may have a different impression of the same material based on how the author conveys it to the audience.

5. Media and popular culture • Classical and Contemporary Images, What Do Gangster Films Reveal About Us offers and good demonstration of how a photo or print can be presented leaving for a different interpretation (pg. 510). The photo of the 1930’s gangster appears to be just that one of a gangster shot in the arm. On the other hand there is a photo of Tony Soprano of the Sopranos (pg 511). His photo looks like a professional man in a business shirt and tie. If the audience does not know it is Tony Soprano or a mobster, they may interpret this to be a photo of an accountant or attorney.

6. Media and popular culture • More common, the media is the classic medium for how thing are presented to the public. The words “politically correct” come to mind. Robert Warshow, in his essay, The Gangster as Tragic Hero does a nice job of explaining how the mass media presents topics in such a way that is shall appeal to what is acceptable to the public (pg. 513). Much of this is meant to create positive social attitudes amongst the masses. The recent 2012 presidential Election is a perfect example of how media can take words out of context or present an event in such a way to leave the audience with a desired perception.

7. Media and popular culture • The use of sexuality has become common place in many of the mediums. It can be to help the audience identify with characters. This can be by way of attraction or in efforts to target a specific audience. It can be mean to be eye catching. This is not something that is limited to print ads, television commercials, or a television series. It is utilized heavily in music via videos and in the performances themselves. Henry Louis Gates, Jr., in 2 Live Crew Decodes, speaks of the flagrant sexism used to create sexual stereotypes.

8. Media and popular culture • Our world surrounds us with stimuli and the human brain absorbs it all even without us knowing it. Subliminally we are constantly left with thought provoking images in words, print, music, and television. The author typically a defined message and audience they are targeting. Thus their work is developed in such a way to accomplish just that. A famous phrase, “perception is reality” comes to mind. The presentation leaves the audience with a certain perception. It is the audience who now has the responsibility to decipher through the material to come to their own conclusion. The author hopes they have achieved their goal.

9. CLASS ASSIGNMENT • Prepare a 500 word essay on the relationship between Popular Culture and Media and how Media influences teens and children in 2012. Please include similarities and differences in new and old types of media. • Do not forget to cite your work using MLA format.

10. Chapter 10 AssessmentTrue or False • Technology in media is changing the way we see the world. • In 2012 print is our primary form of entertainment . • Rhetorical mode is also know as modes of which are ways in which a main idea of the paper is presented. • English 102 focuses on further development of writing abilities learned in English 101. • The receiver may have a different impression of the same material based on how the author conveys it to the audience • The use of sexuality has become common place in many of the mediums.

11. Works Cited • : • “Chapter 5: Rhetorical Modes. What are the “modes of writing?”” Writingforcollege.org.N.p. 01 August 2012. Web. 18 November 2012. • http://www.tc.umn.edu/~jewel001/CollegeWriting/START/Modes.htm