Essay Topics for Media Analysis

Essay Topics for Media AnalysisStudents who are planning to specialize in Media Analysis will need to be familiar with a variety of essay topics. The most common type of essay written for this program requires students to examine media content and its impact on society. Here is a short list of the common essay topics.Problematic Behavior: Students will need to analyze issues of public opinion, identity and behavior through the use of media coverage. The most typical form of this type of essay will examine current events, such as the situation in Iraq or a political candidate's stances on civil rights. If this type of essay is used for credit, it is best to avoid topics that do not relate to current events or political campaigns. However, it can still be helpful to include questions about sensitive issues in society, which are very popular with students in this program.Media Reform and Cultural Change: Current events may sometimes cause individuals to be passionate about public issues . A good example of this is the current election season, where political figures debate issues like tax cuts or the war in Iraq. Students in this course will also analyze the effect of media coverage in recent history. Questions may include asking how the media has changed society, or if media coverage affects people.Identities and Identity Politics: Many students want to understand who they are and why they behave the way they do. It is important to remember that media reporting can change identity over time, whether it is due to events in the news or changes in the personal identity of a person. Students in this course may find this essay topic more helpful when they have more developed personalities or strong identities.Race, Class and Gender: In this era of media coverage, many students are interested in examining the role of race, class and gender in society. For example, some students feel threatened by television images of police brutality, while others consider it acceptable for a member of the elite class to be portrayed with negative attributes. These types of essays can be challenging, as students may find it difficult to discuss media without making sweeping generalizations.Immigration and Culture: Immigrants are often depicted negatively in media coverage, leading many students to question the impact of immigration on society. Students may want to examine questions about cultural diversity and identity. Others may wonder how immigrants have created an identity that is separate from their own.Understanding the Impact of Media Coverage: When writing a Media Analysis essay, students need to realize that the medium of the writing is very important. Although there are many writers that are experts at using the written word to present media content, there are also many more who are experts at using the written word to influence an audience. Students should use the media to make them think, learn, and investigate.For students to understand the impact of media coverage, they should explore the problems, questions, and responses that they experience when reading a particular piece of written text. Most importantly, students need to have an idea of how readers will respond to an essay or assignment. By knowing the response and the potential responses, students will be better prepared to write a critical analysis and persuasive essays.