COM 201
Media Analysis Essay #2: Our Interactions with Media
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How should I structure my paper?
Do NOT include an introduction paragraph; just go right into the four parts of the paper. For
Part 1, give the characteristics/demographics of the players, e.g., age, gender, profession,
how often they play games and what kinds. Part 2, once you have observed your players,
describe the most interesting observations during the game play. This should include how the
players interacted with each other and with the game. Part 3, ask them three questions, one
from the syllabus and two you have come up with, and then describe how their answers were
similar or different, and why you think they answered similarly or differently. Part 4, discuss
which of the four roles of mass media, e.g., critical theory, best explains your observations
and the answers to the questions.
2. How should I format my paper?
All essays must be double-spaced, in 12-point type, with margins of 1 inch, and 3 pages in
length, plus or minus a half page. Note that the default for most versions of Microsoft Word
is 1.25 inch margins so you will need to manually adjust these. At the top of the paper, please
put your name. Essays that do not meet these guidelines will be penalized 5 points.
3. What games can my players play?
Your players can play any multiplayer game as long as they share the same physical space
while playing it. For example, the games could include Madden, FIFA, Call of Duty, Halo,
Super Smash Bros., Street Fighter, Mario Kart, Little Big Planet, Wii Sports, etc.
4. Which mode of multiplayer can I play for the game?
Some of the games have the option to play against another player or in cooperative/co-opt
mode, where you work together against someone/thing else. Either mode is fine. The main
thing to keep in mind for these multiplayer games is that you need to be all in the same
physical space as one another, looking at the same screen.
5. Who can play the game?
You need to have 2-4 people play the game that have never played it before. These can
include your friends, siblings, children, parents, other family members, friends-of-friends, etc.
However, you cannot observe fellow COM 201 classmates.
6. Can I observe the same group as someone else in COM 201?
No, each student needs to have a different observation group.
7. How long do they have to play the game?
About 1.5-2 hours, and they can play all 1.5-2 hours in one day, or you can split it up over
multiple days.
8. What do I do if I think more than one role of mass media explains my observations?
Multiple roles may be present, but concentrate on the one you think best explains the
observations and responses to your questions.
9. What questions do I ask them for part 3?
Ask them the following questions provided in the syllabus: “What about this video game was
fun, and why?” and “What about this video game bothered you, and why?” Make sure that
each person has a chance to answer. Then ask at least five other questions that you come up
with. These can be specific or broad questions about anything relating to them playing the
game. For the paper, you need to discuss their responses to one of the class-provided
questions above, and to two questions that you came up with.