1. Habits of
Highly
Effective
K.McCabe 2012

2. Bother to find out the differences
between Newspapers, Film Companies,
TV channels, key Websites etc.
If you were studying English Literature,
your understanding of the texts depends
upon your knowledge of the context.

4. See all Media texts as something to deconstruct and
analyse.
Look at Adverts in terms of what theories they reinforce or
highlight – rather than for the product the company is
selling. Look at trailers and see the narrative structure.
Look at the representation of people in printed texts.
Actively seek out new, contemporary examples.

5. Respect the fact that Media Studies
is essentially an ACADEMIC subject.
You have to learn key words.
You have to apply them to your writing.
You have to learn key theorists & their theories
You have to apply their work to contemporary
examples.

6. Be prepared to go beyond Wikipedia for research
and inspiration – start with it, don’t end with it!
Try Google Scholar. Try an Amazon search to find
out what books are available. Try Scribd. Cut out
relevant newspaper articles. Read Media
Magazine.
Note sources. Assess reliability. Analyse and
develop your personal response to the information
– do not just repeat.

7. Have high standards when it comes to
production work!
‘It kinda looks like…’ is not good enough!
Painstaking attention to detail is rewarded,
as is a genuine understanding of the
target text, audience and purpose.

8. Use the Internet effectively. There is a mountain of
information out there.
Check out University Media Department resources &
other School Media Department resources.
There are free software tools for almost everything.
There are clips, PPT’s, Blogs on almost everything.