Year 11GCSEMedia Studies B321 Essay

Learning Objective:To add Media Language and final detail to my B321 Representation

Essay.

Introductory Paragraph

Explain what you are going to base the essay on (type of representation and case studies)

Introduce your first advert explaining how it uses typical codes and conventions. Explain how stereotyping falls into this category, comment if

it has been challenged at all? Can you link any media theories /

theorists to the points you

make?

Discussing Representation

You must base your points on the following areas and how they have a linked meaning or a

connotation (this connotes)…• Mise en Scene

(Break up into Setting, Costume, Actors, Lighting)• Camera Shots/Movement

• Editing• Soundtrack

Mise en Scene

SettingWhere is the ad set and what are the connotations of this

Costume (Dress Codes)What are the actors wearing (use the term dress codes) and

what are the connotations of this

ActorsWhat do the actors look like / how do they behave and what are the connotations of this (comment on status and power)

LightingIS the advert well lit (high key lighting) or not well lit (low key

lighting) and what are the connotations of this

Patriarchy is a social system in which: males hold primary power; males predominate in roles of political

leadership, moral authority, social privilege and control of property; and, in the domain of the family, fathers or

father-figures hold authority over women and children.

Camera Shots / Movement

Use the correct language to describe the shots used and comment on the purpose of

each shot linking to representation.

The advert uses a close up on the woman’s legs to emphasize her beauty

and how attractive she is to others.

The advert uses a wide shot to show the variety of reactions of the people on the

street.

Editing

Look at the key terms and consider if any of these techniques have

been used. Remember using the

correct terminology will mean more marks!What effect do the

techniques have, can you link it to

representation?

Key Terms

Lighting

High Key LightingWell it allowing the audience to see all of the action

Low Key LightingLow light making the scene harder to see to create

mystery or suspense for example

Natural LightingScene is naturally lit for example using daylight which

would be expected if the scene takes place outside during daytime

Conclusion

Summarize both adverts and link back to your introduction.

On the whole do the adverts display positive or negative

representations of gender, does it vary depending on the gender.

Media Language

Denote/Denotation: A description of a media text indicating its common sense, obvious meaning.

Connote/Connotation: A description of value, meaning or ideology associated with a media text that is added to the text by the audience.

Audience: The group of consumers for whom the media text was constructed as well as anyone else who is exposed to the text.

Demographics: Measurable characteristics of media consumers such as age, gender, race, education and income level.

Dominant Reading: When a text is read by the audience in a way that is intended by the creators of the text.

Narrative: How the plot or story is told. In a media text, narrative is the coherent sequencing of events across time and space.

Representation: The process by which a constructed media text stands for, symbolizes, describes or represents people, places, events or ideas that are real and

have an existence outside the text.Stereotypes: A form of media representation by which instantly recognized

characteristics are used to label members of social or cultural groups. While often negative, stereotypes can contain an element of truth and are used by the media to

establish an instant rapport with the audience.