What is media?

Media refers to all forms of communication that have been designed to reach a large audience. This includes posters, commercials, book covers, audio ads, magazines, and so on.

Target audience

All media is created for a specific audience and purpose. Some media may be created for children, while others may be created for adults. Some may be created specifically for athletes, while others may be created for people who enjoy cooking. The intended audience(s) that the creator is aiming their media towards is what we call the target audience.

Different people react differently to the same media.

Think about different forms of media that you are aware of and the target audience that you think this example of media was intended for. What are some of the clues that help us to identify the target audience?

Examine the following posters to determine different ways that creators of visual media will target specific audiences.

Analyzing media for target audiences

Examine the following samples and determine if you can identify the purpose as well as the target audience. For each sample, consider the following questions:

• What is the purpose of this sample?
• Who is the target audience? How do you know?
• Does this sample appeal to you? Why or why not?

Complete the Analyzing Media for Target Audience Worksheet in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document.

Press the ‘Activity’ button to access the Analyzing Media for Target Audience Worksheet. Activity (Open PDF in a new window)

Same product, different target audience

Some forms of media will communicate about the same message or product, but will use strategies to target different audiences. Find two versions of a book cover for the same book or two different advertisements for the same product.

Who do you think the target audience is and why?

Complete the Same Product, Different Audience Worksheet in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document.

Press the ‘Activity’ button to access the Same Product, Different Audience Worksheet. Activity (Open PDF in a new window)

Marissa's wild rice pudding adventure

Explore the following video about Marissa, an 11-year-old Ojibwe girl who lives in Curve Lake, Ontario. Marissa will take you through all the steps to make a wild rice pudding, from harvesting, to roasting, to winnowing, to finally making her delicious dish.

Create two mock-ups of a book cover or an advertisement for a podcast or a radio show for Marissa’s wild rice pudding adventure that will target two separate audiences. The titles for these two separate mock-ups can be different to suit your targeted audience.

Front cover

Include:

• title
• author
• illustrator
• image

Back cover

Include (options):

• brief summary of story with a cliff hanger
• recommendations/reviews from celebrity authors, magazines, newspapers

Or an advertisement

Include (options):

• brief summary of story with a cliff hanger
• recommendations/reviews from celebrity authors, magazines, newspapers

Complete the Create Two Mock-Ups Worksheet in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document.

Press the ‘Activity’ button to access the Create Two Mock-Ups Worksheet. Activity (Open PDF in a new window)

Reflection

How do you feel about what you have learned in this activity?  Which of the next four sentences best matches how you are feeling about your learning? Press the button that is beside this sentence.

Now, record your ideas about your feelings using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.