COMM 201: Media Framing Analysis: Picking a Topic

Tips for choosing a topic

• Start broad and then narrow it down later.
• Consider the "framing" angle.
  • Look for controversy and topics with a lot of "hot takes."
  • Check out Opposing Viewpoints for a long list of debatable current issues!
• Pick something you find interesting.
• Talk to your professor, librarian, or writing tutor for ideas.

Example:

• Broad area: Public libraries in America
• Narrowed down: Book banning
• Specific issue: Framing of banning books from public and school libraries
• Potential frame: Is book banning framed as a dangerous threat to free speech and access to information, or a way for parents to protect their children from inappropriate or distressing content?

Once you choose a topic, come up with keywords to try in the database. One way to create keywords is to ask yourself the "5 W's and the H" questions: "Who, what, when, where, why, and how."

• What is the news story?
  • Books being challenged and banned in libraries have dramatically increased since 2022
• Who is involved?
  • Parents, educators, librarians, children, authors, parental rights groups, lawmakers
• Who is covering this story?
  • See box below: Evaluating a News Source
• When is this happening?
  • 2022-present
  • Although book banning has always occurred, there has been an unprecedented rise in bans in the last three years
• Where is this happening?
  • Are you looking at information in the United States? In some other country? In Maryland? In your city? 
• Why are book bans increasing in libraries?
  • Changes in state legislation
  • Pressure from advocacy groups for parental rights movements
• How does book banning affect the people or populations involved?
  • Effects of book banning on specific kinds of people (e.g., teens or children)
  • Effects of book banning on freedom of speech

News publications vary widely. It's important to ask what news sources are covering your issue, look up information about the news source, and the author.

About the author, ask yourself:

• Did the author name her sources? Did she provide multiple sources and perspectives?
• Do you consider the sources appropriate given the evidence supplied?
• Did the author represent sources accurately? Based on this analysis, make judgments and inferences that guide how you trust or use the news source.

About the news source, ask:

• What does their About Us page say? 
• Does the source employ editors or fact checkers?
• Can you identify a mission statement, goals, or code of editorial ethics? What is the aim of the source? 'Reputable' news organizations tend to be open and transparent about their professional ethics and goals. 
• What does Wikipedia say about the source? Is it an independent newspaper?