Media Diary & Paper DUE Mon Sept 17
BCST 110 MEDIA IN SOCIETY, Fall 2007, M. Brown
Uses & Gratifications of Media
The Media Diary assignment requires that you keep a diary of and reflect on your daily media technology use for a total
of 4 days (they do not have to be four consecutive days), then write a paper about the experience. For one of those days,
you are required to give up your favorite entertainment technology (MP3 player, PSP, computer, Radio, Web browsing,
Television, Video Game, cell phone, DVDs, etc.).
This assignment is designed to make you aware of the extent to which all types of electronic
media are woven into your daily routine. Specifically, the assignment should (a) enhance your
awareness of the uses, functions, and gratifications of media technology use, and (b) serve as a
vehicle for self-discovery whereby you closely examine taken-for-granted aspects of your per-
sonal media technology dependency. This assignment has 3 phases.
* Phase 1 involves recording in a diary format for 2 days how much TV you watch, radio and
music (CDs, etc.) you listen to, movies you watch, videos/DVDs you rent, and how much com-
puter use and World Wide Web browsing you do; in short, what is your hour-to-hour media
technology use? For each day, your diary should address these aspects of your media use:
(1) What medium did you use? (2) How long did you use it? (3) What did you use the medium for and what was the re-
sult (gratification)? (see back page for an example and a list of common gratifications).
* Phase 2 involves GIVING UP your favorite medium for one whole day. If you normally watch television, try listen-
ing to the radio, surfing the Web, or reading print instead. On this day, you are to record in your diary the same informa-
tion as the first 2 days (everything but your favorite medium) and note if your other media use and social life are affected
by giving up your preferred medium.
* Phase 3 involves writing your Media Diary Paper. The paper, 3-4 pages, double-spaced and stapled, should be a
thoughtful analysis of the uses and gratifications received from media technologies in your daily life. The concept of me-
dia "uses and gratifications" has been discussed in class. It is important that you understand this approach to media and
technology use so that you can apply it in your paper.
In your paper you should: (1) provide an overview of your media technology use - which medium is your most pre-
ferred? (2) what do you do with media? (ie: listen to music, Web sites, programs, shows, etc).; (3) describe how your pre-
ferred medium fits into your overall media use by referring to your diary; (4) address the conditions in which you nor-
mally use this medium (alone, with a friend, in a group, etc., and at what times); (5) explain what uses and gratifications
you derive from media technology in general and your preferred medium in particular (does it fulfill any needs)?
(6) discuss other types of media you replaced your favorite medium with, if any; and, (7) address how difficult it was to
give up your favorite medium for a day. Was it harder than you thought it would be? Did the particular days you gave it up
matter in any special way? Did not using your favorite medium affect your interpersonal relationships with others? If so,
how and why--was it because you felt bored, anxious, out of touch, or something else?
The back page lists common Uses & Gratifications of media for your reference.
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