Entering USC, you stun upon a beautiful campus full of color, nature, people and of course this beautiful fountain that you see in this picture. But like every photo there’s always a story or a deeper meaning behind it and today I will be telling you all about it.
Tell the truth. That way you don’t have to remember a story. – John Wooden
My first week at the Annenberg Youth Academy I was taught about the importance of Communication, Civic Engagement, and Journalism 101. Although all three classes have their own specialties and requirements they had one big thing in common. How to create a way in which the audience can have a deeper understanding of what’s going on in the world today.
In Professor Rogelio Lopez’s class of communication we established fundamental concepts like critical media literacy. What is that you may ask? Well it’s a central thinking skill that allows the audience to interpret, analyze or evaluate the text they read or radios/broadcasts they listen to. In communications they use strong voices to tell the truth in a way that can create influence upon the viewers, and captivate the sense of representation to truly make a bigger impact. In media not only are they trying to convey a message but embed those values and points of view. Learning upon the detailed work that goes behind the scenes truly changes my perspective on how civic media uses technologies, designs, and practices to decentralize society’s functions.
In Journalism 101, taught by Professor Alan Lopez, we see a more personalized purpose of the news. Journalism is meant to share stories with the correct representation and voice they deserve. We learned about the 5 W’s which are ” Who?, What?, When?, Where? and Why?” These questions allow the journalist to get the information they need to justify a story and tell its truth. With the right words, facts, revisions, and clarity that journalist can express news to the world in which the audience can fully understand about our world today.
Ultimately this week has shown me the civic side of my everyday life. When I see an add on my phone, or the news in the morning, the infographics on the articles, I’ll understand the work and truth behind it to allow myself as the viewer to feel something, and when all said and done that something is the feeling they hoped for me to achieve.
As I continue my path in the Annenberg Youth Academy I hope to establish everything I learned and set myself to be that voice for the world in the future! – Jasmine Diaz Coca
Works Cited:
Wood, J. T. (2011). Communication Mosaics: An Introduction to the Field of Communication.
Zuckerman, E. (2014). New Media, New Civics.
Communicating Change 