AS Media: Ms1 ExamLast Minute Tips and ‘Tings

Question 1: The Unseen Analysis QuestionWorth 40 marks

Still image text(s)

Spend roughly 1 hour on this section (including time spent annotating the text(s)

To get in the top band your answer must include ‘Sophisticated and perceptive analysis, revealing a thorough understanding of key signifiers and techniques. Complex ideas expressed coherently. Awareness of the polysemic nature of texts with a possible recognition of the ideological. Evidence of an overview. Well developed use of media terminology.’

Assume that every element of the text is worthy of comment

Link frequently and explicitly to the purpose and effect of the visual, technical codes etc.

Ask of each element – what does it do? (effect) and why does it do it? (purpose)

Link to key concepts and pile on the terminology

Question 1: The Unseen Analysis QuestionNever lose sight of the fact of that media texts are constructed by institutions for specific audiences and that these texts are encoded with ideological messages.

Texts are polysemic in that their meaning is not fixed – everyone responds differently to the same media text.

Avoid comments that are too superficial – not just another comment that red has connotations of danger.

Question 2: The Stepped QuestionUnless there’s some minor tinkering, the distribution of marks is likely to be A) 6 marks B) 9 marks C) 15 marks

Focus will either be Audience or Representation – for the purposes of this PowerPoint we’re betting on Audience, but don’t shoot if we’re wrong.

Spend approximately 45 minutes on this section in total.

Read all three questions before you start answering 2A – a common mistake is to ‘use your powder’ by answering 2B in 2A and then not writing anything for 2B.

2A and 2B will refer to the stimulus material from Q1.

If you need timings 2A (5 mins – 1 paragraph) 2B (10 mins – 3 paragraphs) 2C (15 mins – 1 -2 sides, depending on how fast you can write)

2A might ask you to identify two different audiences for the text(s) – make them specific and make sure you justify your reasons clearly with specific reference to the text.

Question 2: Case-Studies/Audience2B might then ask you to explore how an audience has been targeted in detail – makes specific, sophisticated reference to the text.

Don’t be phased if you find yourself saying things you’ve already said for Q1 – say them anyway.

2C – At this point it’s time to wheel out ‘your own detailed examples’, in other words the case-studies we spent months analysing.

For a 15 mark question refer to 2/3 examples.

Remember to contextualise your examples – e.g. Company is a monthly magazine that targets an audience of fashion conscious 15-24 year old females.

It can be useful to prepare texts to discuss that have contrasting target audiences – e.g. front page of a women’s magazine and an advert that targeted a male audience.

If using magazines as examples, make clear that you are discussing a specific issue.

Question 2: Case-Studies/AudienceIf exploring why the same text appeals to different audiences remember to refer to key issues such as gender, age, ethnicity, experience and situated culture

Make reference to relevant theories – Uses and gratifications, Reception theory (dominant, negotiated and oppositional readings)

Remember that texts often construct a lifestyle and encode ideological values that the audience are invited to share – but the audience are free to reject these values if they wish.

Question 3: representationREMEMBER: IT MIGHT NOT BE REPRESENTATION, IT MIGHT BE AUDIENCE!!!

Worth 30 marks

Spend roughly 45 minutes on this section

Only refer to ‘your own detailed examples’, in other words not the text(s) from Q1

Mark scheme calls for ‘Sophisticated understanding of representation issues linked to current thinking and theories. Confident exploration of media concepts. Good sense of issues and debates surrounding a wide range of media texts.’

Refer to 2/3 detailed examples – aim to write about 1 side for each

Contextualise your examples – e.g. Educating Yorkshire is a fly-on-the-wall TV documentary that was screened on Channel 4 in 2013.

Start your answer with an overview that establishes your understanding of the concept of representation – result of a process of selection & omission, constructed using a range of visual & technical codes

Question 3: representationNext define the most widely held stereotypes of the group identified in the question.

If the question refers to ethnicity – explain how representations of ethnicity often focus on constructing a sense of otherness, emphasising the difference between ‘us’ and them.

If the question refers to events – explain that events are constructed in different ways by different institutions for different audiences. Same applies to issues.

From there, you can explain how and why your particular case-studies re-enforce or challenge the stereotype you outlined at the start.

Use plenty of references to specific visual and technical codes – you must explore HOW the representations have been constructed.

If the question is events analyse 2 events via 2 contrasting texts.

Last pointEveryone says Media Studies is easy – they’re right, but also very wrong!

Anyone can analyse media texts in vague, broad terms. Not just anyone can analyse media texts using specific terminology and with sophisticated reference to key concepts and to a range of media theories. As a media student that’s your job – and it’s the thing you need to do throughout the exam.

Good luck!