With the changes in technology and society, there is a positively correlated need for change in media literacy. A constant balance between these two is needed for complete understanding of the concepts and mediums used to relay the messages. Meyrowitz defines media grammar literacy as “focusing on the unique grammar of each medium and the ways in which the production variables of each medium interact with content elements.” (page 99) Meyrowitz lists ways in which variables of different mediums can be manipulated in order to provide a unique or special element to the audience.
An example of media grammar literacy can be displayed in Podcasts. Although I have never been a podcast listener, I recently attended a lecture by Sarah Koenig about her popular podcast series “Serial.” Although I am not a “Serial” listener, her speech clearly explained the elements of the podcast and provided examples of what makes the podcast unique from what could have been different if it were a television show. I could not help but over hear the two girls next to me, who are big fans of the show, talking about their experiences with it. One of the girls said that she likes to lie in a dark room while listening. I found this point very interesting because it is different to settings for other mediums where there is really nothing to see. There are no visual aspects of a podcast when television or still photography relies heavily on visual elements. I think this is a good example of media grammar literacy because although it is still media and entertainment, it is different in a sense of the language used.
An important way that a podcast can manipulate media grammar literacy is through the voice itself. Since there are no visual aspects of this medium, there is a heavy reliance on the audio. Sarah Koenig used her voice as a tool to communicate with listeners while keeping them entertained and wanting to hear more. If the speakers voice was unappealing, the success of the show would not have been as great.
Meyrowitz, J. (1998). Multiple Media Literacies. Journal of Communication, 96-108.
sar5558 says
As a listener to a massive amount of podcasts, I can say that your assessment is absolutely correct! Podcasts can do so much with so little, and in order to achieve and maintain success, they have to. There is some limitation in not being able to show your audience everything you want to, but audio-only entertainment provides new and interesting challenges for creators. I listen to a fantasy podcast called “Welcome to Night Vale” and they’re able to paint such incredible pictures that would be very difficult to get across on tv because they would have to actually show it. The effects budget, like in books and comics, is essentially limitless. Anything you can say can happen. The medium is out there waiting for innovators. The need for a good strong voice is above all, I agree. Sarah Koenig offers such great, trustworthiness in her tones added into her creative rhetoric and, at times, even unexpected playfulness , that the listener is begging to come back even before the episode ends.