Media Analysis Paper (

Respond to the following questions in 4-5 double-spaced pages:
1. Based on Washington’s article and video, why is it important that people in different identity groups are
visible and represented in film and the media? Discuss specific reasons (two from the video and two from
the article). Be specific with your answers and references. Take a look at the representation data in Table
1 (p. 12). What conclusions can you draw from the data and why? (1 page—8 points)
2. Minorities and other marginalized groups may be visible in the media but are often depicted in onedimensional, stereotypical, or negative ways. Based on the resources for this assignment, why is it
important to examine how people are portrayed in the media? Remember George Gerbner’s cultivation
analysis in chapter 2? Why is cultivation analysis connected to how people are portrayed in the media?
Why does Washington think movies like Black Panther are important for people of color? (1 page—8
points)
3. Answer the following questions on the movie you watched: (3 pages—25 points)
a. Why did you pick this movie? What is the movie about? Briefly summarize its setting, plot, and
central message. (1/2 page–5 points)
b. Deconstruct the movie by discussing three specific “hidden” messages, points of view, or
representation issues you observed. Examples of what to look for include cultural ethnocentrism,
unconscious bias, race, gender, sexual orientation stereotypes, positive or negative depictions of
race, ethnicity, religion, political views, and so on. Be very specific. For each point, as applicable,
discuss the message you uncovered, how it was created, the value or point of view contained in
the message, language, images, or techniques used to create message, and the interpretation
that an affected audience may derive from it. Support your answers with specific ideas from the
materials. (2 pages–24 points)
c. Movies mirror culture and society. What ongoing or contemporary issue of representation in our
society does this movie bring to light? What insights did you gain from the movie about this issue?
Support your answers with specific ideas from the materials. (1/2 page–5 points)