Media and Information Literacy Key Terms

Vocabulary flashcards covering People Media, Social Media characteristics and categories, Text Media types, Typefaces, and Text Design Principles based on the lecture material.

People Media

The role of human beings as vital links in creating, processing, evaluating, and sharing information across different channels.

People in Media (PIM)

Individuals who work professionally within the media industry, utilizing media tools, platforms, and technologies to create, produce, process, or distribute information and messages to an audience.

Scriptwriter

Writes articles, captions, scripts, and written content for websites or broadcasts.

Graphic Designer

Creates posters, logos, infographics, and visual graphics using design software.

Audio Producer

Records, edits, and enhances voice recordings, music, and sound effects.

Videographer

Shoots and edits moving visual content such as videos, documentaries, and advertisements.

Animator

Creates moving characters, animated graphics, and visual effects using specialized software.

People as Media (PAM)

Individuals who personally serve as channels or sources of information, sharing messages directly with others regardless of whether they work in a professional media capacity.

Individualized (Social Media Characteristic)

A characteristic of social media that builds personal profiles containing details, images, and preferences.

Connection (Social Media Characteristic)

A characteristic of social media that connects users with friends and networks via direct adds or recommendations.

Real-Time Sharing (Social Media Characteristic)

A characteristic of social media that allows content to be uploaded as it happens.

Interactive (Social Media Characteristic)

A characteristic of social media that enables both private and public conversations.

Trackable (Social Media Characteristic)

A characteristic of social media that maintains message logs, history, and comment threads.

Relationship / Social Networks

Social media platforms designed for social connection, such as Facebook.

Micro-blogging

Social media platforms for short, quick posts and visual updates, such as Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.

Special Interest Networks

Niche professional or hobby networks, such as LinkedIn and Pinterest.

Media Sharing

Platforms dedicated to uploading video or images, such as YouTube and Flickr.

Collaborative News

User-driven news and navigational information platforms, such as Reddit, Waze, and Google Maps.

Discussion Forums

Online boards for group conversation, such as Google Groups.

Purchase / Merchant Sites

E-commerce platforms, such as Shopee, Lazada, and Amazon.

Virtual Worlds

Interactive online gaming spaces, such as Roblox, Minecraft, and Farmville.

Text

A simple and flexible format of presenting information or conveying ideas, whether handwritten, printed, or displayed on-screen.

Formal Text

Text-based materials created and distributed by established institutions (such as publishers or news agencies) that undergo a rigorous editing/evaluation process and are often governed by state censorship.

Informal Text

Text-based materials originating from personal opinions, views, or casual communication without formal institutional review.

Typeface (Font)

The overall style or design of text characters (including letters, numbers, punctuation, and symbols) used in printed or digital content.

Serif

A font style characterized by small decorative strokes at the ends of letter lines; connotes formality, elegance, and readability in large bodies of text.

Sans Serif

A clean, modern, and minimalist font style without decorative strokes, commonly used for digital web displays, signage, and quick readability.

Slab Serif

A font style carrying a solid, heavy look, often used for large advertising billboards.

Script

A font style featuring brush-like or cursive strokes that mimic handwriting; intended for formal invitations and used sparingly.

Decorative / Display

Fonts designed to reflect specific themes (holidays, kiddie, circus) or express distinct emotions (horror, celebration).

Emphasis

The importance or value given to a specific part of text, highlighted through bolding, italicizing, underlining, color changes, or resizing.

Appropriateness

How fitting or suitable the text choices (tone, style, typeface) are for the target audience, context, or purpose.

Proximity

How close or far text elements are positioned relative to one another to show relationship (e.g., keeping titles and subtitles near each other).

Alignment

How text is positioned relative to the page borders (left, right, center, or justified).

Organization

The deliberate placement and compartmentalization of text elements across a page to maintain structure and readability.

Repetition

The consistent repetition of certain typefaces or formatting throughout a page to build unity without cluttering the layout.

Contrast

The visual variation created when two distinct elements are paired (e.g., dark text on a light background, or pairing a large font with a small font) to make content readable.