Media Deconstruction

Media Deconstruction

Authors and Audience:
1. Who produced this document, and for what purpose?

This was produced by the magazine The Blaze in order to grab reader's attention and to tell them "why common core is a threat to our kids, our freedom and our future."

2. When was this produced, and what was it's historical context?

It was produced Math 2014. I believe the context of common core is negative. I've not heard anyone say anything good about it, so this image fits well with what a lot of people already think. 

3. Who is the target audience?

The target audience, I believe, are parents and educators.

Messages and Meanings:
4. What are the messages communicated?

The message that I see being communicated is that common core will make all our kids think alike and we will lose individuality.

5. What techniques are used to attract and hold attention?

First of all, images with kids always grab the readers' attention! The large, bright text and the very bold statement made on the front of this magazine are definitely also used to pull the reader in.

6. How might people interpret this message differently? 

I think there are two main ways this can be interpreted.
1) Common core will make our kids all the same in a school setting and they will lose all freedom and individuality.
2) Common core will help all our students learn what they need to know by allowing them to work together and come up with the same ideas.

7. Who might benefit from (and who might be harmed by) this message? 

I think that parents can both benefit and be harmed from this message. I think that if parents were to see this, some might slow down and take a few minutes to be actively involved in their child's education (if they aren't already). I think this can harm parents because if they just see this image and read the cover, they aren't filled in on the facts and maybe they just make assumptions that might not necessarily be true. They are prematurely misinformed and perhaps even mad about something they don't understand. 

Representation and Reality:
8. What information or perspective is left out of this message?

I think what is left our of this message is the actual guts of the story. There is just one very bold claim stated and that is it. No reasoning, no supporting facts, nothing.

9. Is this an accurate and credible representation?

Because I am absolutely unfamiliar with the common core and what it is all about, I have to say that if I were going on ONLY what I  have heard from other people, which is that this will just educated kids for the standardized tests that are required, then I would have to say that I agree with my initial interpretation of this image. Is it a credible representation? Maybe, maybe not. But it is definitely cleaver and has the potential to really grab attention!

10. How does this reflect the perspective or bias of its creator?

Obviously, the creator of this image and the author of this article thinks that the common core is a threat to the American society. The picture and the statement make that very clear. 

The text of this message is the image and the actual written words. Children in a classroom and the claim that the common core is a threat to our kids, our freedom, and our future. The subtext of this image is how the viewer interprets the image and the silent meanings of the words and pictures.

One persuasive technique that I think this image uses is emotional appeal. Education is always a touchy subject and has the power to make people feel anything from happy to irate. Another technique I see being used is glittering generalities. This image makes a direct claim that something is threatening several aspects of our American society. No matter what the "threat" would be, this makes people mad and gets them riled up, regardless of the subject.