Media Source
Author, Date, Title of Article, Newspaper

Lynn Anderson, Sunday March 13, 2005, High school students unfazed after tackling revamped SAT exam, The Baltimore Sun

Responding to Critical Questions

Author
Who created this message?  List the types of jobs of people involved in the construction of the message.

    This message was created by Lynn Anderson, a staff writer for the Baltimore Sun.  She interviewed various students who had taken the test and parents of students who had taken the test.  She also interviewed Chiara Coletti, who is the vice president of communications and public affairs for the College Board.

Purpose and Audience
Who is the intended audience for this message?

   The intended audience for this message is for anyone in the public concerned about education today.  It is also intended for students who took, or will be taking the exam and their parents.

What is the purpose of this message (to inform, to persuade, to entertain, self expression, to teach, to make money)?  Indicate your choice in a complete sentence and explain reasons for your choice.

   The purpose of this article is to inform because it is letting everyone know that the SAT has been changed, making it 45 minutes longer, and why it was changed.  It also lets people know that although different, the new test was accepted well, and did not seem to cause any problems.  I think that there is also a hint of persuasion in the article because it is encouraging students to prepare well and to have parents make sure their child is ready for the exam.

Construction
How were image, language, and sound manipulated in this message?

   I found this article in the actual newspaper, so there were no sounds or flashing images.  There are however two picture of students who took the test.  One student was smiling, which supports that the test went well, and another has a blank look, which shows that the students were unfazed.  The language also manipulated the message because in the title, “unfazed” sounds relaxed and undisturbed.

What techniques are used to attract and hold attention?

   To attract and hold the readers attentions, the writer incorporated several quotes.  This allows the readers to relate to the article through actual opinions rather than just getting lost in run on facts.

Form
What type of message is this? (Personal narrative -express personal ideas; Informational-define, inform, explain; Persuasive -makes a knowledgeable judgment and supports argument with evidence).  Describe. 

   This message is an informational message letting the audience know about a change made in education, and how it affected people.  It letting everyone know why the test was changed, what it consists of now and how it was accepted well nationwide.  The writer never expresses personal ideas or makes judgments.

Interpretation
How does this message connect with your life experience?

   This message connects with my life experience in several aspects.  First of all, I was in one of the nationwide trial groups who took the test while it was still not finalized.  I was selected at school to participate in this study, where I took the new version as part of an experimental group, so the college board could see how it went.  Also, my father is a high school guidance counselor, so he was a proctor for the new SAT test.  He agreed with the article in that students seemed unfazed.

How does this message compare with other media messages you've received?

  This message compares with other media messages that I have received, in that it is more related to my life because I have been through the SAT’s and know it what it feels like.

Representation
How are stereotypes (or fixed ideas about things, people, or events) evident in this message?

   Stereotypes were evident in this article based on students and parents.  It made the assumption that all students were unfazed, ignoring those who weren’t.  It also made the stereotype that everyone knows what the SAT is, because it did not go in to detail about what the test is for.

What point of view is represented in this message? (Identify and trace the development of an author’s argument, viewpoint, or perspective)

  The author’s point of view is from a neutral on looking perspective.  She writes the facts and reactions based on what she is told, not through opinions.  There are also many quotes included for support of her message to help inform.

Other
What has been left out of this message?

   One thing that I would have liked to known that was not included in the article was if the score range is still the same, or if it changed also.  (Ex. 800 math + 800 verbal = 1600 perfect score)

Media Source

Ryan Bagwell (Staff Writer)
April 20,2005
County may get 3^rd charter school
Maryland Gazette (website)

Responding to Critical Questions

Author
This message was created by Ryan Bagwell, a staff writer for the Maryland Gazette.  He reports for the following districts: Glen Burnie, Linthicum, Ferndale and Millersville.

Purpose and Audience
The intended audience for this message for individuals in Anne Arundel who are concerned with education or who have or know children that would benefit from a school such as this.

The purpose of this message is to inform its readers of the idea that a charter school may be added to the school district.  It is also informative of how a school such as this would be beneficial to many of the counties students.

Form
For the most part, this message is informational because it explains the process that the county has undergone in order to get permission to establish the school, and it explains the goals and purpose of the school.

Interpretation
This article connects with my life experience in that I have known many students before who would have benefited especially from attending a school like this.   

Although I have read many educational articles before, this message is unique in the fact that I did not know that this process was going on, and that Charter schools even existed.  This article was a learning experience for me because it informed me of information that I was not familiar with. 

Representation
The stereotype that is evident in this message, is that all readers of the article know what type of students would benefit from a charter school.  Some members of the audience may not know what the classes are like at a charter school, yet this article made the assumption that the readers did.

The point of view that was represented in this message was that of observance, reporting and informing. The author gathered the facts, researched and interviewed to produce and informative article, without any personal opinion. 

Other
Not much else has been left out of this message except for some detailed information about charter schools.

This article was retrieved on April 29, 2005 from http://www.hometownglenburnie.com/vault/cgi-bin/gazette/view/2005G/04/20-39.HTM