Work sheet: Gaining perceptions from the media
December 15, 2000
Web posted at: 12:27 PM EST (1727 GMT)
CNNfyi.com article, "Coalition urges TV shows to broaden diversity"
Watch a 30- or 60-minute television fictional program of your choice (such as a drama, comedy or sci-fi show). After viewing, answer the following questions:
1. What is the main purpose of the show (for example, to entertain, to inform, to persuade)?
2. Who is the target audience for this show? How do you know?
3. Describe the main character: What does he/she look like? To which racial/cultural/socioeconomic class does he/she belong? What clothes does the character wear? What kinds of things does he/she say? What do others think of him/her? What does he/she think of himself/herself? What do you think of the character?
4. Are stereotypes used in the program? If yes, describe.
5. Do you think that any groups are misrepresented? Explain.
6. If you were an alien from another planet whose only impression of American culture were what you could take away from this show, what would you think about society and people, as represented in this television program?
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