Com 450: Senior Seminar -- Politics and Media

Dr. Janet McMullen

Game Schema Study Guide for President Bush's Address to the United Nations, September 12, 2002

Last Updated: 09/12/2002

As you watch the speech and the analysis which follows, look for the following characteristics:

The Speech:

How might the president's speech be designed to meet the requirements of television politics?

How is he framing his position?

How effective is his television presence?

How has he established or protected his media image?

The Coverage:

What elements of the "game schema" can you identify in the coverage of the speech? (Only some of which are listed below for your benefit. See class notes for complete list.)

1. Form dictates content:

2. Strategy is emphasized over issues:

3. Evaluation of whether Media Image is established or protected :

4. Journalist as celebrity:

5. Journalist as public explainer:

6. Journalistic Cynicism:

7. Emphasis on Public Opinion:

8. Emphasis on Political Impact:

9. De-Emphasis of Issues in favor of success or failure of presentation:

10. Other observations:

Dr. Janet McMullen

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