Media Literacy Questions

Questions to help you think carefully about any media you read, watch, listen to, or play. You don't need to ask them all — pick the ones that fit, then use the follow-up questions to go deeper.

Author & Audience

who made this, who it's for, and why

Authorship & Purposes

Who made this?
Why was this made?
What does this make me think, feel, or want to do?
Who is the target audience?
Who are they talking to? Or who is this for?

Responses

How does this make me feel, and how do my emotions influence my interpretations of this?
What questions do I have about it?
What further information do I need to fully understand this, and how do I find it?
What actions might I take in response to this?
Will I share this? Why or why not? How? With whom?
How might I participate productively?

Economics ($)

Who paid for this?
Who might make money from this, and how?

Message & Meaning

what it's saying, how, and what it means

Content

What does this want me to think (or think about)?
What would someone learn from this?
What ideas, values, information, or points of view are explicit? What is implied?
What is left out that might be important to know?

Techniques

What techniques are used, and why?
How do the techniques communicate this message?

Interpretations

How might different people understand or interpret this message differently?
What is my interpretation?
What do I learn about myself from my reaction or interpretation?

Reality & Representations

how real, accurate, and trustworthy it is

Context

When was this made?
Where or how was it shared (with the public)?
What aspects of historical or cultural context are relevant to consider?
How does this reinforce or counter cultural norms?
How does the technology or media form impact the message?

Credibility

Is this fact, opinion, or something else (fiction, satire, etc.)?
What are the sources of the information, ideas, or assertions?
Can I trust this source to tell me the truth about this topic?
How do I know this is believable or accurate?
How might I confirm this information using reliable sources?

Follow-up Questions

Why might this be important?
Why do I think that?
What is my evidence?
How could I find that out?