This document outlines a two-part assignment for a media writing class. Part I requires students to document a 24-hour media-free experience, reflecting on how they filled their time without media and how the experience changed their habits. Part II involves documenting 24 hours of media consumption, analyzing what caught their attention and observations about social and stylistic aspects. The rubric evaluates submissions based on critical thinking, clarity, style/creativity, and grading ranges from unacceptable to excellent.

1. MCM 2325 INTRODUCTION TO MASS COMMUNICATION FALL 2009 - GOLDMAN
PAGE 1 OF 2 SYNOPSIS ASSIGNMENT & RUBRIC MCM 3325 MEDIA WRITING
Media Consumption
Blog Assignment
Part I.
Your 24-hour media-free experience is designed to give you just a taste of life without your
standard viewing and listening fare. I want you to have some fun and entertain an
alternative mindset devoid of media. What does the experience of going without media
encompass? I want you to “enjoy” a media-free experience without TELEVISION,
DVDS, CDS, BOOKS, MUSIC, RADIO, IPODS, CELLPHONES,
COMPUTERS, ETC. You need to structure your experiment around school and
making sure you complete your educational obligations. As a significant part of this
assignment, I would like you to plan some alternative activities by yourself or with friends
and/or family to fill your day in a different way (sleeping does not qualify). What were your
media-free activities? Were the experiences satisfying? What would you normally be
listening to or viewing? Examine your stream of consciousness insights and impulses
when it comes to being removed from media. I want you to be reflective and not generic.
Please give personalized examples and accounts of your media-free experience and
substitute activities. I am the only person reading your blog. How did this assignment
change your typical patterns? What happened as a result? Any surprises?
Part II.
Assignment consists of documenting 24-hours of consuming mass media including radio,
film, flyers, posters, television, billboards, music, magazines, newspapers, the web, etc.
Report your findings including what you saw or heard; what truly got your attention;
what else you were doing at the time and any other observations. It’s your basic a day of
media consumption. I do not just want a shopping list of the media consumed. This is a
comprehensive media analysis of time spent, impact, social and stylistic commentary, etc.
Rubric (see page 2)

2. MCM 3325 MEDIA WRITING FALL 2009 - GOLDMAN
PAGE 2 OF 2 SYNOPSIS ASSIGNMENT & RUBRIC MCM 3325 MEDIA WRITING
Content/Critical Thinking
5) Excellent: Addressed both sections and displayed self-reflective, critical thinking along with
insightful, observations. Evidence of original
and/or creative thinking.
4) Good: Answered two sections with solid, critical thinking and self-reflective skills. One
section was weaker.
3) Average: Answered both sections adequately but it lacked originality and self-reflective
thinking.
2) Below Average: Lacks a clear focus, thesis and/or originality.
1) Unacceptable: Incoherent.
Clarity/Grammar
5) Excellent: Supports ideas with well-chosen details and examples. Precise
language free of spelling and grammatical errors. It was a pleasure to read.
4) Good: Supports ideas with relevant examples. One or two errors in terms
of spelling and grammar. Overall it was an enjoyable read.
3) Average: Adequate support of ideas with examples. Three spelling and
grammatical errors.
2) Below Average: Lack of support with details and examples. I spent more time correcting than
reading.
1) Unacceptable: Incoherent.
Style/Creativity/Fluency
5) Excellent: Your personal style and creativity flowed throughout the Blog. Evidence of
unusual sentence combining techniques to hold the attention of your audience
and create an emotional bond.
4) Good: Your style and creativity flowed throughout most of the paper.
3) Average: The paper was generic and did not incorporate a personal viewpoint.
2) Below average: The paper was confusing and lacked a personal viewpoint.
1) Unacceptable: Inappropriate style.
Grading
The breakdown is as follows:
A 14-15
A- 13.5
B+ 13
B 12
B- 11.5
C+ 11.0
C 10.5