Habits of Highly

Effective

K.McCabe 2012

Bother to find out the differences between Newspapers, Film Companies, TV channels, key Websites etc.

If you were studying English Literature, your understanding of the texts depends upon your knowledge of the context.

See all Media texts as something to deconstruct and analyse.

Look at Adverts in terms of what theories they reinforce or highlight – rather than for the product the company is selling. Look at trailers and see the narrative structure. Look at the representation of people in printed texts.

Actively seek out new, contemporary examples.

Respect the fact that Media Studies

is essentially an ACADEMIC subject.

You have to learn key words.

You have to apply them to your writing.

You have to learn key theorists & their theories

You have to apply their work to contemporary examples.

Be prepared to go beyond Wikipedia for research and inspiration – start with it, don’t end with it!

Try Google Scholar. Try an Amazon search to find out what books are available. Try Scribd. Cut out relevant newspaper articles. Read Media Magazine.

Note sources. Assess reliability. Analyse and develop your personal response to the information – do not just repeat.

Have high standards when it comes to production work!

‘It kinda looks like…’ is not good enough!

Painstaking attention to detail is rewarded, as is a genuine understanding of the target text, audience and purpose.

Use the Internet effectively. There is a mountain of information out there.

Check out University Media Department resources & other School Media Department resources.

There are free software tools for almost everything.

There are clips, PPT’s, Blogs on almost everything.