View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does semiotic interpretation of an advertisement help the customers?

2. What do designer labels symbolize, according to Anne Norton?

3. Who is an outlaw hero, according to Robert Ray, the writer of "The Thematic Paradigm?"

4. What does mass production and mass marketing that categorizes people result in?

5. Which of the following products is cited by the authors as a cultural icon?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the earliest sign of American consumption of "more?" When did that happen?

2. How is semiotic analysis of TV program different from a review or opinion?

3. What archetype does the movie Pretty Woman represent? What are the archetypes for the hero (Richard Gere) and the heroine (Julia Roberts)?

4. Reality TV shows are a hot trend in popular culture and often based on schadenfreude. What do you think their impact could be on a middle school student?

5. What are some examples of popular culture?

6. When did the Energizer bunny ad appear? How is it a cultural icon in terms of success?

7. Why are shows like West Wing popular according to Todd Davis , the author of "The West Wing in American Culture?"

8. What is the Democracy of Goods according to Marchand?

9. What is the image projected by an American mall? What is the real image?

10. What is the first step in semiotic writing as recommended by the authors?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Do the current TV programs and shows provide a safe space for children and parents to spend the evening together? What is the implicit message of prime time TV programming to the families?

Essay Topic 2

What are the main principles behind Martha Stewart's success? Using examples cited in the text book along with the ideas expressed by the author, outline the main principles. Explain if you agree or disagree with those main principles

Essay Topic 3

What is the impact of reality TV shows on children? Take a reality show as an example to do a semiotic analysis of its potential impact on middle school children watching it.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 960 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample