General Assignment Description: The goal of this paper is to get you to critically think about the various ways information can be presented, and the variety of potential explanations that exist for effects based on exposure to media content. To do this, you will need to apply two media effects theories to public opinion data and explain how the two different theories could explain the observed results.
For each theory you chose you use, you need to 1) describe the theory, 2) describe how it applies to the poll finding you are discussing, and 3) describe what processes are occurring according to the theory to result in the observed effects. The discussion and application of each theory should be about 1.5 pages long. When describing the theory, you need to describe who the primary developers of the theory were, in what situation the theory was first utilized, and fully describe all of the major elements of the theory. When describing the processes that are taking place, make sure you explicitly reference the finding you are discussing and tie the finding directly to the elements of the theory you are using. That is, you need to use concrete details when describing how the finding matches up with the theory you are using. The discussion of both theories should be about 3 pages long.
The description of each theory should have a minimum of two sources used – so the entire paper should have a minimum of four sources. The sources must be cited both in text and in an attached reference page, and at least three of your sources must be academic sources. Academic sources include books and journal articles. Appropriate non-academic articles include newspaper or magazine articles, reports from the government, or reputable websites (e.g., a college or university that has a history section of their website). Inappropriate sources include Wikipedia and other non-verifiable Internet sources. You will lose 5 points for each source you do not include in your paper.
After you have explained how two theories could be applied to the same results, you need to provide an analysis of which theoretical explanation is more compelling and why you believe this is the case. This should be about 1 – 1.5 pages long.
Altogether, this paper should be about 4-5 pages long.
The below locations contain a wealth of public opinion data about media use and public attitudes and behaviors. You are free to choose whatever pieces of information you find most interesting. If you find poll/public opinion data elsewhere that you would like to use, make sure you clear it with me first.
http://www.journalism.org/packages/state-of-the-news-media-2014/
http://www.people-press.org/
http://www.gallup.com/home.aspx
Theory in Action Rubric

Unacceptable – 0 points
Minimum
– 2 points
Poor
– 5 points
Average
– 7 points
Excellent
– 10 points
Theory 1
Description of Theory
Not present
Maybe a paragraph of content, but missing many details
All aspects minimally described, or missing multiple aspects
Fully described, but missing an aspect
Fully described who, when and major elements
Explanation of what processes are taking place
Not present
A sentence or two provided
A paragraph provided, but little to no details
Adequately described and some details present
Fully described concepts correctly with concrete details
Explanation of how theory applies

Not present
A sentence or two provided
A paragraph provided, but little to no details
Adequately described and some details present
Fully described in multiple paragraphs, with concrete details
Theory 2
Description of Theory
Not present
Maybe a paragraph of content, but missing many details
minimally described, or missing multiple aspects
Fully described, but missing an aspect
Fully described who, when and major elements
Explanation of what processes are taking place
Not present
A sentence or two provided
A paragraph provided, but little to no details
Adequately described and some details present
Fully described concepts correctly with concrete details
Explanation of how theory applies

Not present
A sentence or two provided
A paragraph provided, but little to no details
Adequately described and some details present
Fully described in multiple paragraphs, with concrete details
Preferred Explanation
Rationale for preferred theory
Not present
A sentence or two provided
A paragraph provided, but little to no details
Adequately described and some details present
Fully described in multiple paragraphs, with concrete details
Sourcing
Rationale for preferred theory
Not present/incorrectly cited in all places
Sources cited correctly either in text or in references
Sources cited correctly in text and in references

Must have minimum of 4 sources. Subtract 5 points for each missing source