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9th grade · English Language Arts · Unit 12 of 12

Media Analysis

Rhetoric, framing and synthetic media

What your child practices

Students analyze the purposes and techniques of media messages (rhetorical appeals, framing, propaganda, sponsored content, deepfakes) and how beliefs and algorithms shape interpretation.

Maine Learning Results learning standard: Reading 11; Speaking and Listening 2 · analyzing how media messages use appeals, framing and other techniques

How we explain it

Children can open this short lesson before they practice.

  1. Media shape feelings with music, framing and charts. A cut-off y-axis can make a trend look bigger.
  2. Confirmation bias is favoring information you already agree with.
  3. A filter bubble is a feed that shows mainly what you already agree with.

Example: What is confirmation bias? “Confirm” means show something is true. People tend to look for what backs up their beliefs. Answer: the tendency to favor information that matches what you already believe

Media Analysis in Maine

In the Maine Learning Results, this is unit 12 of 12 in 9th grade English Language Arts, after Proofreading.

Gradelings describes a child's practice on this unit as Beginning, Approaching, Meeting or Exceeding (Four practice steps). That reflects practice, not a report-card mark: the teacher decides the mark.

Source: Maine Department of Education

Sample questions

A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.

  1. Question 1

    How might framing a protest as a “riot” versus a “rally” affect readers?

    • it changes the date
    • it makes the story longer
    • it changes how readers judge the people involved
    • it has no effect

  2. Question 2

    Which is an example of logos in an editorial?

    • data comparing test scores before and after a policy
    • an emotional quote
    • a famous name
    • a dramatic photo

  3. Question 3

    What is a deepfake?

    • a blurry photo
    • a news correction
    • a documentary
    • AI-made video or audio that makes a person seem to say or do something they did not

  4. Question 4

    What does it mean to analyze a media message's techniques?

    • check its spelling only
    • summarize its plot only
    • count its views
    • examine the choices, like images, sound and words, and their effects

  5. Question 5

    Why might a company sponsor a scientific study about its own product?

    • companies cannot fund research
    • it guarantees accuracy
    • it is required by law
    • it may hope for results that help sales

  6. Question 6

    Why might the same speech be described as “bold” by one outlet and “reckless” by another?

    • the speech changed
    • words have no meaning
    • one outlet heard a different speech
    • each outlet frames it to fit its perspective

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