Finally, the last two chapters attempt to put it all together and to offer strategies for increasing media literacy. An important element of this book is not only the accessibility of the language with which it is written, but the exercises that accompany each chapter. These exercises are designed both to sharpen the skills students learn in each chapter, and to enable them to think critically about what they have learned. The goal is to avoid media messages for as long as possible, and then to document how long they were able to go without exposure. Needless to say, this is a difficult activity, but students respond well to it.
Students do recognize, though, how pervasive media is.
Media Literacy is a key text for media studies and mass communication instructors who seek to educate students about the impact media has in our lives. It is also an important text for anyone seeking to improve their media literacy skills. We cannot escape media. The best we can hope for is to arm ourselves with the skills necessary to minimize its impact on us.