Cultivating critical thinking and activism in our media culture. Building a healthy world through media justice.
New Mexico Media Literacy Project - www.nmmlp.org
Susana Martinez "Border Security"
Media literacy - the ability to critically consume and create media - is an essential skill in today's world.
Skoal Citrus "Local Flavor"

Deconstruct this magazine ad using these questions:

1. Whose message is this? Who created or paid for it? Why?

2. Who is the “target audience”? What is their age, ethnicity, class, profession, interests, etc.? What words, images or sounds suggest this?

3. What is the “text” of the message? (What we actually see and/or hear: written or spoken words, photos, drawings, logos, design, music, sounds, etc.)

4. What is the “subtext” of the message? (What do you think is the hidden or unstated meaning?)

5. What kind of lifestyle is presented? Is it glamorized? How?

6. What values are expressed?

7. What tools of persuasion are used?   See "The language of persuasion"

8. What positive messages are presented? What negative messages are presented?

9. What groups of people does this message empower? What groups does it disempower? How does this serve the media maker's interests?

Read a sample deconstruction of this media example
Don't know what this means?
See "Deconstructing media"
Browse our deconstruction gallery
Want more?

This media example is featured in NMMLP's forthcoming DVD-ROM, Media Literacy for Prevention, a five lesson unit on tobacco, alcohol, and food marketing.

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MEDIA LITERACY PROJECT