Media Analysis Instructions

Before reading the instructions below, please note that this assignment is NOT a summary paper.  You are required to use critical thought and your paper should be much more than a description of a movie and regurgitation of facts from the text.

Your grade for this paper will be based on how closely you follow the instructions below:

1. Find an article, video, book, movie, documentary, television show, blog, or some other media source in which the main topic involves addictive substances.

2. Closely read, listen to, or watch what you found and pay attention to how the substance is portrayed. Below is a list of suggested themes/ideas to pay attention to:

The popularity/prevalence of the drug in mainstream culture (or in certain subcultures).The physiological, behavioral, and emotional effects on user.The positive and/or negative consequences of use (on the user, and her or his family, friends, co-workers, etc.).The impact of the drug on society/community.The stereotypes associated with the substance.

3. Compose a 2 page, double-spaced analysis comparing the way the media source portrays the substance with the way the text and outside source(s) portray it.  Specifically, address how accurate or inaccurate the media source portrays the substance with regard to topics/themes like those listed in point (2) above. You must address a minimum of 3 topics or themes. Use the text (Ksir & Hart, 2015) and at least 1 peer-reviewed article to back up your claims. You must cite your sources. Include in your paper an overall analysis of the media source backed by your findings. APA is required.