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adds news.
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Movies, TV shows and many other types of media all want you to accept their messages at face value.
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However, you should look beneath the surface and ask questions to decode what the's media messages are really saying.
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First, ask who is the source of the message.
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Knowing who is ultimately responsible for a message can reveal its true intentions as well as any possible bias.
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If the source is an obvious, you can find it by following links or checking legal disclaimers.
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Next, how is it trying to get your attention?
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The obvious part of a message is called the text, which includes any language, imagery, music or anything else you can see and hear.
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Creators can use a multitude of techniques to grab your attention, and they will often craft the text to appeal to a specific audience.
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But even if you enjoy the message, try to remain critical, so you can see if the message contains actual substance or if it's all smoke and mirrors.
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Also, how could this message be interpreted?
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The implied part of a message is called The subtext, and it's suggested by the content, rather than directly seen or heard.
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We as individuals, then decide how to interpret that subtext based on our personal biases, worldviews and expectations.
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People with different perspectives might interpret the same piece of media very differently.
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While this may not be a big deal with the entertainment media, different interpretations of news and educational media can create confusion and misunderstanding.
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Try to set aside your biases and preconceptions and you'll be more likely to get in tune with what the message is actually trying to say.
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Finally, is the message fair and trustworthy?
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Some media may withhold or exaggerate info like an ad that makes their product appear more effective than it really is.
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Make sure you always get a complete set of info from trustworthy sources, even if the media itself neglects to do so.
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Deconstructing media messages is a critical skill in our media saturated culture as it helps you cut through the noise and reach your own conclusions.
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G.
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C F.