ANALYSIS PAPER INSTRUCTIONS

For this course, you will complete 2 short papers that analyze how the mainstream media portray some of the foundational issues facing the family. Each paper should be about 2 pages in length and should include at least 1 citation from a media source. Follow the steps below in order to complete this assignment.

Step 1: Select a current issue facing the family. There are many issues to select from here includingbut not limited to: divorce, blended families, homosexuality, child-raising/parenting, etc.

Step 2: Choose a recent media source that discusses or addresses your chosen issue. Possible media sources include but are not limited to: newspapers, news shows, popular magazines, news magazines, etc. For this assignment, do not choose a Christian source or a letter to the editor or similar opinion piece. Find an example of how the mainstream, secular media are treating your topic.

NOTE: You will need to record the specific citation details of your chosen source as you will be required to provide a correct Turabian citation of this source.

Step 3: Analyze how the media source you have chosen presents or deals with the issue. You will want to consider the following types of questions:

• Are these attitudes and ideas congruent with a biblical worldview? Why or why not?
• What, if anything, do the attitudes and ideas presented by the media story reveal about our culture?
• Were any important details or facts omitted in order for you, as the audience, to really understand the situation being presented?
• Do you detect any biases? If so, what are they?

Step 4: Compose your essay (as an Microsoft Word file) based on all of the steps above. Be sure to include your bibliographic citation for the media source.

Step 5: Edit your paper.