Everyday Media Literacy: An Analog Guide for Your Digital Life

by Sue Ellen Christian

In this graphic guide to media literacy, award-winning educator Sue Ellen Christian offers students an accessible, informed and lively look at how they can consume and create media intentionally and critically. The straight-talking textbook offers timely examples and relevant activities to equip students with the skills and knowledge they need to assess all media, including news and information. Through discussion prompts, writing exercises, key terms, online links and even origami, readers are provided with a framework from which to critically consume and create media in their everyday lives. Chapters examine news literacy, online activism, digital inequality, privacy, social media and identity, global media corporations and beyond, giving readers a nuanced understanding of the key concepts and concerns at the core of media literacy. Concise, creative and curated, this book highlights the cultural, political and economic dynamics of media in our contemporary society, and how consumers can mindfully navigate their daily media use. Everyday Media Literacy is perfect for students (and educators) of media literacy, journalism, education and media effects looking to build their understanding in an engaging way. Instructor slides and quizzes (with answers in bold) for this book are available through the Routledge Instructor Hub.

278 pages, Hardcover

Published October 1, 2019

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to read this book for my journalism course: Media, News and Consumers. I am honestly so glad I read this book, and I think it would be wise for all media consumers to read it. It goes into a lot of information about how to be media literate, being intentional with your media use, how journalism acts as a “watchdog” role in our society, the role of misinformation and disinformation in our news, how we can use media to be civic-minded citizens, and how journalism acts as an important player in our democracy. Sue Ellen Christian writes in an engaging way, and her chapters are clear and concise. This book taught me how to think critically with the media I create and consume online, and about how different people see the same messages differently than me.

[Hannah Powless · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book for my Global Media Literary course. The book is full of useful information about how media interacts with our daily lives in an easy to read and understand way. The author is funny and relatable and makes the subject feel very approachable. I highly recommend this book to professors looking for a textbook to assign, COM majors looking for related readings, and anyone looking to take back control over their media consumption.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my text for a media literacy course. I borrowed it online and plan to but a physical copy if there is any department money. Great resource to remind about media bias and misrepresentation.