There are four methods used to analyze meaning in a text : Content analysis, a method of counting replicated images or patterns in a text to prove meaning; Genre Theory, a look at how the meaning of a text can be determined by its specific genre type; Semiotics which looks at the signs and images within a text; and finally Audience Analysis is used to find the interpreted meaning of audiences who view the images either consciously or subconsciously. This page will expand on the use of content analysis as a technique of finding meaning in a text. Content analysis must be interpreted using an understanding of how the codes within the text relate to the culture that surrounds it.

Content Analysis will be used to analyze the Fox situation comedy "That 70s Show" in an attempt to pinpoint meaning in a televised text. The initial step in this method of finding meaning is to create an hypothesis. This question is to determine why an analysis is being conducted as well as provide the analyst with a focus for determining relevant categories and quantitative data. Once an hypothesis is determined categories are created for the purpose of counting the contents of a text. The text itself is not secluded to print on a page. Rather it can encompass music, television, or photographs for example. Since this page will be looking at television as our text, images as well as plot lines can be counted. The intrigue to analyze this sit-com is because it is a relatively popular show. What makes it so popular is dependant upon what the texts means to the its viewers.

 

70s Show Content Analysis Home

That 70s Show Home

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