Critical Media Studies - media messages

 

Understanding key terms

RHETORIC as the art of persuasive writing and speaking has been around for many centuries. We can see from this that it's closely connected to today's media and the messages they convey. From movies and TV shows we watch to advertisements we are exposed to on a daily basis, it is difficult to stay objective and impartial because they are all rhetorical. This means that  There are many rhetorical structures in a text and one of the most important is FORM. As Burke states it is 'an arousing and fulfillment of desires'. In other words, it's a satisfaction of that desire or wish in a way, representing a logical sequence of events. For instance, imagine watching a TV show, or movie and there is growing anticipation that your favorite character is about to reveal the secret they'd been keeping throughout the entire season. This brings out heightened desire to find out what that secret is. If it's revealed, your desire is satisfied. If not, it an example of 'bad form'.

Another way of influencing audiences in the world of media is through the concept of GENRE. It represents an amalgam of different techniques, style, and form. Simply put, it is a combination of certain characteristics which make certain genre recognizable. If we're talking about movies we are aware of the types of stories a romantic comedy has to offer, for example. Also, due to our experience, we may even foresee which actors star in the movies we're interested in, only based on the genre of the movie.

DOXA, as Bourdieu explains, represents knowledge “which is beyond question and which each agent tacitly accords by the mere fact of acting in accord with social convention." In other wprds. it stands for cultural aspects which are not significantly challenged by its members. It is the way things are and nobody brings them into question.

INTERPELLATION is one of the four functions of ideology. It represents a process in which individuals are made into ideological subjects, forcing them to be a part of that ideology. They offer these individuals an identity which they are obliged to take on.

Another type or strategy used in media representation is OTHERING. It is a process of diminishing minorities. It happens on all kinds of levels, especially racist. An example of this would be characterizing Eddie Murphy, Wanda Sykes, or Tracy Morgan as “black comedians,” but it is unlikely that one would ever encounter material describing Jeff Dunham or Amy Schumer as “white comedians.

AMERICAN DREAM represent an ideology which promotes the idea that you can achieve success and prosperity if you only work hard enough, no matter your background.