Minds On
Media is interpreted using our imagination
Think of the last story you read or listened to. Can you imagine what the characters were like? Perhaps you can guess what certain characters would do in a situation or what they would say if you met them. Can you imagine how two characters would respond to the same question? You may be surprised to know that when asked the same question they might give very different answers.
Character in a media text
Good stories can help you build a picture of the characters in your mind. Even when an author does a brilliant job describing how a character appears, what they say, or even how they speak, people interpret media differently through their imagination.
Create an audio recording, or use the following template, answering the questions.
- Character #1
- Book and Title
- What would your character look like or sound like?
- How would your character react to different situations? Give an example.
- If you could design something for your character to use, what would you create and why?
If you know someone who has enjoyed the same book as you, including e-books and audio books, have them fill in the template as well and compare your answers!
Complete the Character in a Media Text in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document.
| Character #1 | |
|---|---|
| Book, Title | |
| What would your character look like or sound like? | |
| What would your character do if (Blank)? | |
| If you could design a (Blank) for your character, what would it look like or sound like? You can draw it or describe it. |
Press the ‘Activity’ button to access Character in a Media Text.
Action
Techniques used to activate our imagination
The way we imagine characters to look, act, or sound like is only one example of how people interpret media using their imagination. Think of a commercial or an advertisement that you've explored. You might have imagined the product right away. Our senses are activated as we interpret media through our imagination.
Creators of media use a variety of different techniques to activate the imagination of their target audience. Examine the following list for some of the possible techniques that may be used.
| Sample | Technique Used |
|---|---|
| Radio advertisement for Marty’s Burgers:
“Crispy lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and the well-seasoned burger patties, keep Marty’s customers coming back for more.” |
Adjectives |
| Poster advertisement for a beach vacation: “Imagine your feet sinking into the soft sand, water lapping at your toes, a pail of water ready to build a sandcastle.... it’s time for a beach vacation.” |
Imagery |
Can you think of any more to add to the list?
Find an example of a media text and analyze it for the techniques the creator uses to activate their target audience’s imagination. Complete the Activating Target Audience Imagination in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document.
| Media Text Sample: | |
|---|---|
| Purpose: | |
| Target Audience: | |
| Techniques the creator uses to activate the audience’s imagination: |
Press the ‘Activity’ button to access Activating Target Audience Imagination.
Consolidation
Creating media
It's time to create your own media form using different techniques to activate your imagination! Use one of the following options.
- Select a favourite food or item to advertise as a poster or radio commercial.
- Create a travel pamphlet of a made up or real destination.
- Write a script or record a video that features a favourite character from a story.
While you design, it’s important to consider the purpose, target audience, and techniques you will use to create your plan for a media creation.
Complete the My Media Creation Draft in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document.
| My Media Creation Draft: (You may use any format that you are comfortable with: draw or describe using words, insert samples, use voice to text or video.) |
|
| Purpose: | |
| Target Audience: | |
| Techniques I used to activate the imagination of my target audience: |
Press the ‘Activity’ button to access My Media Creation Draft.
Student Success
Create a media text
Once you have finished your plan, consider creating a published copy of your media text. Have fun activating the imagination of your target audience!
Note to teachers: See your teacher guide for collaboration tools, ideas and suggestions.
Reflection
Reflecting on our learning will help us to become more independent media interpreters. Reflect on your learning from this activity by answering the following question:
How does knowing about different techniques that evoke the target audience’s imagination help me to create more effective media texts?
Complete the Reflecting on Techniques that Evoke the Target Audience's Imagination in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document.
Press the ‘Activity’ button to access Reflecting on Techniques that Evoke the Target Audience’s Imagination.
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.
I feel...
Now, record your ideas about your feelings using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.