{"id":11712,"date":"2014-08-17T04:28:18","date_gmt":"2014-08-17T08:28:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.frankwbaker.com\/mlc\/?page_id=11712"},"modified":"2025-11-16T18:05:22","modified_gmt":"2025-11-16T23:05:22","slug":"close-reading-of-media-texts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.frankwbaker.com\/mlc\/close-reading-of-media-texts\/","title":{"rendered":"Close Reading of Media Texts"},"content":{"rendered":"

Media educator Frank W. Baker conducts workshops for\u00a0educators (and students) around close reading of media texts.\u00a0For more information about his workshops, go\u00a0here<\/a>. \u00a0Contact him<\/a>\u00a0for specifics.<\/p>\n

Frank’s latest book<\/span>\u00a0“Close<\/em> <\/a>Reading The Media”<\/em><\/a> <\/strong>published by Routledge is a collaboration with MiddleWeb.<\/p>\n

Return to the\u00a0Media Literacy Clearinghouse<\/a>\u00a0for additional resources and ideas.<\/p>\n

INTRODUCTION
\n<\/strong>It’s been my experience that most educators understand how to teach “close reading ” as it applies to print, but many have not had the same training nor experience when it comes to teaching\u00a0“media texts.”<\/a> \u00a0That’s why I created this web resource. It is designed to provide guidance, suggestions and resources for helping you to teach students how to analyze the techniques used by media makers, so that their experience with media is a richer, more rewarding one. In many ways, when we do this, we are turning them away from being passive viewers,\u00a0and turning them toward becoming more\u00a0active (critical) viewers.<\/p>\n

EXPLANATIONS\/DEFINITIONS<\/strong>
\n“When close reading a media text, you deconstruct (take part) the text by analyzing the way different elements are used to create meaning.\u00a0In order to close read a text, it is necessary to understand the particular\u00a0media language<\/a>\u00a0used. Media language encompasses all the ways\u00a0in which media text is constructed to communicate with an audience through verbal, visual, aural language \u00a0( e.g. lighting, layout, shots, typography, images, sound).” (Source<\/a>)<\/p>\n

RECENT COLUMNS BY FRANK W. BAKER
\n<\/strong>
\nClose Reading and What It Means for Media Literacy<\/a>\u00a0(1 of 4)
\nClose Reading: Visual Literacy Through Photography <\/a>(2 of 4)
\nClose Reading Of Ads Promotes Critical Thinking<\/a>\u00a0(3 of 4)
\nClose Reading: The Language of Film<\/a>\u00a0(4 of 4)
\nClose Reading Infographics<\/a>
\nTeaching Visual & Media Literacy With Popular Magazines<\/a>
\n<\/a>Close Reading of News, Ads & Websites<\/a><\/p>\n

New Literacies & The Common Core<\/a>\u00a0– By William Kist
\nMedia Literacy & Close Reading<\/a> (Literacy Solutions)
\nClose Reading With Media<\/a>
\nHow to Conduct A Close Analysis of A Media Text<\/a>\u00a0(CML)
\nClose Reading\/Media Studies <\/a>(New Zealand)
\nCodes & Conventions Defined<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VISUAL LITERACY<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Magazines:<\/strong>
\nCompare & Contrast Magazine Covers<\/a>
\nHow To Read A Magazine<\/a><\/p>\n

Photography:
\n<\/strong>Engaging Students With Primary Sources<\/a>\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

Basic Strategies in Reading Photographs<\/a><\/p>\n

Close Reading A Photograph<\/a><\/p>\n

Is Seeing Believing<\/a>?\u00a0(digital manipulation of images)<\/p>\n

Close Reading + Visual Litera<\/a>cy= Pathways to Understanding<\/a><\/p>\n

Close Reading Photos<\/a>\u00a0(Lesson Plan)<\/p>\n

10 Intriguing Photos to Teach Close Reading<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

ADVERTISING<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Print<\/strong>
\nAnalyzing Tobacco Ads<\/a><\/p>\n

Print Ad Deconstruction<\/a><\/p>\n

Non-Print
\n<\/strong>Close Reading Non-Print:
\nUnderstanding the Appeals<\/a>
\n<\/a><\/strong>
\nBuy Me That<\/a>: Toy Commercials<\/p>\n

Deconstructing A TV Commercial<\/a><\/p>\n

Close reading of ads<\/a>: a how to guide<\/p>\n

Close reading visual texts<\/a>\u00a0(video)<\/p>\n

Media Literacy & Rhetorical Analysis With Ads<\/a> (Lessons)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

MOVING IMAGES-FILM<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Close Reading: Film Trailers<\/a><\/p>\n

To Kill A Mockingbird\u00a0<\/a>(film study guide)<\/p>\n

Close Reading Film<\/a>\u00a0(prezi)<\/p>\n

How To Read A Movie<\/a>\u00a0(Roger Ebert)<\/p>\n

8 Compelling Docs to Teach Close<\/a>\u00a0Reading\/Critical Thinking\u00a0<\/a>(NYT)<\/p>\n

Handout:\u00a0How to Read A Film<\/a><\/p>\n

Analyzing Scenes in Film & Literature\u00a0<\/a>(NYT)<\/p>\n

Techniques Filmmakers Use
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

Using Storyboards to Inspire Close Reading<\/a><\/p>\n

Lesson Plan: Documentaries<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

News
\n<\/strong>Evaluating a news article<\/a> (Infographic, EasyBib)
\nFive Simple Tips for Evaluating News Sources
\n<\/a>Fake News-Remedy Recommendations<\/a><\/p>\n

Social Media<\/strong>
\nSocial Media Guide For Teachers<\/a> (Edutopia)
\n<\/strong>How Facebook works<\/a>
\nWhat is Twitter\/how does it work?
\n<\/a>What is Instagram?
\n<\/a>Pinterest: A Beginner’s Guide<\/a>
\nTikTok: How It Works<\/a>
\nWhat is Reddit?<\/a><\/p>\n

Music<\/strong>
\nClose Reading One Direction’s Music Video<\/a>
\nClose Reading of Pop Music<\/a><\/p>\n

Other Resources\/Lesson Plans
\n<\/strong>Reading Media Texts<\/a>
\n<\/strong>Organizer for Close Reading of Multimedia Texts
\n<\/a>Elements of Multimedia Composition Descriptors<\/a>
\nClose Reading Lesson Plans<\/a>\u00a0(Web English Teacher)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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