Movies, TV shows and many other types of media all want you to accept their messages at face value.

However, you should look beneath the surface and ask questions to decode what the's media messages are really saying.

First, ask who is the source of the message.

Knowing who is ultimately responsible for a message can reveal its true intentions as well as any possible bias.

If the source is an obvious, you can find it by following links or checking legal disclaimers.

Next, how is it trying to get your attention?

The obvious part of a message is called the text, which includes any language, imagery, music or anything else you can see and hear.

Creators can use a multitude of techniques to grab your attention, and they will often craft the text to appeal to a specific audience.

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.

Also, how could this message be interpreted?

The implied part of a message is called The subtext, and it's suggested by the content, rather than directly seen or heard.

We as individuals, then decide how to interpret that subtext based on our personal biases, worldviews and expectations.

People with different perspectives might interpret the same piece of media very differently.

While this may not be a big deal with the entertainment media, different interpretations of news and educational media can create confusion and misunderstanding.

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.

Finally, is the message fair and trustworthy?

Some media may withhold or exaggerate info like an ad that makes their product appear more effective than it really is.

Make sure you always get a complete set of info from trustworthy sources, even if the media itself neglects to do so.

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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