Description
Podcast Research Assignment
Overview
Listen to and analyze one or more episodes from 3 different podcasts. Consider elements like genre, format, style, tone, sound design, overall sound quality, target demographic, representation and message. Write a paper discussing your analysis and how you will apply this insight to your own podcast episode.
Assignment Learning Outcomes
Through completion of this assignment, students fulfill some of the primary learning outcomes of the course, to:
Develop an appreciation for QUALITY audio.
Learn to use sound to communicate effectively.
Be introduced to broadcasting and podcasting.
Develop an understanding of the role of sound in media.
And more specifically to listen to a variety of podcasts in order to:
consider them critically
discover a range of podcast formats and content
be inspired by the content, formats and production practices for your own podcast assignment
Instructions
You must listen to 1 episode (or more if you wish) from 3 different podcasts.
You must choose ONE podcast episode from the list provided below (See
You may choose the other two podcast episodes yourself, but they must be from the same category or be about the same or similar topic as your own podcast idea.
Write approximately 750 – 1000 words that cover the following:
Provide the names and a brief description (1-2 sentences) of the podcasts you listened to
What category or subcategory are these podcasts in? (See Apple Podcasts’ list of categories:
What are the strengths and weaknesses of the podcasts you listened to? (ideas: music, sound design, host presentation style, topic, format, length, etc.)
How will you apply the insight you gained from your analysis to your own podcast episode? (Provide a brief summary of your planned podcast)
You may lay out your paper in any way that is most effective to you. Written papers, including this one, must always include appropriate citations of any work you refer to including books, web pages, journals, articles, movies, podcasts. Therefore, you must be sure to cite all of the podcasts you refer to in your paper. MLA Style should be used. If you’re not sure how to cite a podcast, check out this resource from Citation Machine. Citation Machine also has automated tools to help create citations for all types of references.
Rubric
Writing (40%)
Completed with target word count.
Proper grammar & spelling.
Logical flow, easy to follow.
Citations complete, in proper format.
Concise and effective answers to the questions posed in the instructions above.
Research (60%)
Thoughtful analysis of existing podcasts.
Music, sound design, host presentation style, topic, format, length
Strengths
Weaknesses
Diversity & representation
Strength of connection & analysis of selected podcasts relative to your own podcast concept.
