You're Now a TV Critic

Mass Comm Assignment
Assignment Deadline: Thursday, February 8
Reviewing a Television Show: "30 Days" on FX
You start your new job by writing a review of the reality series “30 Days.” The episode you will watch is ‘Immigration.” Please frame your review with the following complaints in mind:

• “There’s nothing good on television.”
• “Reality shows are lame with contrived narratives populated by characters the producers exploit by perpetuating worn out stereotypes.”

You can agree, disagree or use another issue concerning reality television for framing your review. As you watch the episode, take notes. Snag quotes you can use in your review. The review should run 500 to 700 words. You can write the review in essay style or as a newspaper column or magazine article. You will also need to bring yourself up to speed on the immigration debate. You must know what you’re writing about.

“30 Days” is a program that airs on FX during the summer as an original reality series. It airs at 10 o’clock against hour long dramas on the major networks. You’ll also want to learn a bit about the show for credibility. Who is Morgan Spurlock? Why does he have a TV show? Why is “30 Days” a documentary/reality show? What have other episodes been about? Why is it on FX?

Your review will summarize the best and worst of the episode. You will critique the producers’ efforts to inform, entertain or persuade. Address the effectiveness of the episode. Is it worth watching? Of course you must support your position as the episode is now included in the Season Two DVD set of “30 Days.” In addition you must address the issues of stereotypes, agenda-setting, gatekeeping and effectively apply Walter Lippman in your efforts (a quote would be nice).

Here’s a nuts and bolts guide to writing a review. A good review, like a story has a beginning, middle and ending.

• Identify the title, episode and talent/producer of the program and genre (type of program) and target audience.
• What’s the episode’s purpose and how is it achieved or missed?
• Summarize of the episode, but don’t give it all away.
• What are the main themes of the episode? Address each theme in its own paragraph.
• Identify key characters. Be descriptive with characters, settings and situations.
• Use quotes from the episode to underscore points you make your review.
• How did you react to the show? Did it keep your interest? Was it important or useful?
• Why should people invest their time in the episode?
• How would you grade or rate it.
• Write in your style/voice—edit your copy—rewrite. Proper spelling and grammar apply.
• Draft a compelling headline for your column.
  

Before Bloggers Ruled the Earth

As you blog each week for class, keep the following guidelines in mind:

What should we write?
You should write thoughtful, critical and reflective responses. You should consider the blog entry as a place to explore elements of the readings, the class discussion and your experiences. This is a great place for you to flesh out your positions on what we cover.

How much should we write?
150-300 words. If you feel you need more space, then break it up into multiple entries. Break the blog prompts or questions I present into chunks you can address separately on your blog.

Will spelling and grammar count?
Yes. Draft your blog entry as a MS Word document so you can review and edit it.

Why do we have to add links?
Adding links helps you develop resources online where you can go and explore writers, theorists, topics, etc. In addition to becoming a helpful resource for you to go back to for other assignments and projects in the class, the links make your blog more searchable in the blogosphere.

If you blog about technological determinism or Marshall McLuhan and include links, you’re blog may come up when someone else Googles "McLuhan" or TD. Pretty cool if you ask me. A few links are cool. You do not need a link for every word in your entry--- but think about the KEYWORDS in your entry. Those keywords are excellent places to embed links.

What should we do if you comment on our blog or if someone else comments?
RESPOND!!! I suggest responding directly to the comment where it was posted. I’d also post your response on ther person's blog who left you a comment (use their most recent entry). Just remember to cite the fact they left you a comment. And finally, you can always copy your response in an e-mail to me.

Can we add pictures?
Certainly. Dressing up the page draws attention and enhances your effort here. But be careful no to go overboard. Use the "Rule of Thirds" as a guide for the layout of an entry as well as your blog. If you include an image from the web, simply link it back to the original source. Adding images as well as links forces you into the role of blog producer as you’re engaging in the medium. You’re going beyond the text, but thinking about ways to draw attention, etc. Also consider how well you write the headline of an entry. BE COMPELLING—grab attention—but make sure it delivers what you sell. You may also embed video if you know something about HTML code.

How will the instructor evaluate a blog entry?
I will base it on the thoughtful effort you put into it. If you BS or fail to really consider what you write, you will could receive half or no credit for that week. Deep, deliberate blog entries will always score well. Short, detached and uninteresting entries will always receive reduced points.

Also consider the blog guidelines I handed out in class. The blogs for this class should be professional and not personal. For this class I do not want to see any personal attacks, but you should certainly offer critical and constructive criticism.

Finally, find your voice and style. This is your way to communicate with me online as well as your classmates. However, you’re put it out there for the world to find. Let your style flow!!!

Any other questions?

Consider the varied approaches to blogging from corporate communities to journalists, etc. I'm open for suggested links.
Blogging Ethics for Cyberjournalists
Corporate Blogging Rules

Great Blooming, Buzzing Confusion

We hit the ground running this week with Walter Lippman's concept of the "Pictures in Our Heads and the World Outside." Consider these fine nuggets of wisdom from Lippman and our discussion this week.

“For the most part we do not first see, and then define, we define first and then see. In the great blooming, buzzing confusion of the outer world we pick out what our culture has already defined for us, and we tend to perceive that which we have picked out in the form stereotyped for us by our culture.”

“We shall assume that what each man does is based not on direct and certain knowledge, but on pictures made by himself or given to him. If his atlas tells him that the world is flat he will not sail near what he believes to be the edge of our planet for fear of falling off.”

What other quotes stood out to you as you started reading PUBLIC OPINION and WHY did they stand out for you? Now consider how you use media and how your use affects the pictures in your head.

• How is your reality limited?
• What happens if you engage more media?
• What happens if you analyze messages, the medium and the gatekeepers critically?
• Consider some headline in the news this week. What are the pictures in your head that help you navigate your undestanding of the story presented? Do you let the information just wash over you? Or do you absorb it willingly?
  

THINKING About That Documentary Project

We have a group "Documentary Project" required in the Mass Communications-Minority/Majority Cluster. Students should start looking at short-format documentaries that tackle social issues. Deconstruct what you watch. Consider the subject matter and how it's put together. Here's an example from Current TV for you to consider. It's called ONE NATION UNDER GUARD.