What is representation?
A term used to describe how certain people/places/events/issues are presented to us by the media.
It is a constructed 're-presentation' of reality.
It is a way in which the media reflects and presents attitudes attitudes, behaviour and beliefs.
Representations vary over time.
What is dominant ideology?
Dominant ideology, when applied to an analysis of representation in the media, is a set of common values and beliefs shared by most people in a given society, framing how the majority think about that group of people. This is quite often in line with a stereotype or an often repeated idea or characterisation of a certain group of people.
It is a constructed 're-presentation' of reality.
It is a way in which the media reflects and presents attitudes attitudes, behaviour and beliefs.
Representations vary over time.
What is dominant ideology?
Dominant ideology, when applied to an analysis of representation in the media, is a set of common values and beliefs shared by most people in a given society, framing how the majority think about that group of people. This is quite often in line with a stereotype or an often repeated idea or characterisation of a certain group of people.
EXAMPLE
The dominant ideology of gender in the media is that women are more sensitive, less physically able, less aggressive, more caring, better with children than men. In contrast to this men are stronger, more aggressive, more prone to violence and usually the decision-maker.
These views are not an accurate presentation of reality but they are frequently seen and perpetuated in films and other media products nonetheless.
How to analyse representation:
First, examine the text and identify what the representation is of your chosen group of people/place/issue/event. Do this by writing a list of adjectives which describe the dominant representation in the text. If there is more than one representation on offer of the same thing then write two lists. You should also consider whether the representation is generally positive or negative, strong or weak. Additionally, decide whether it is line with the dominant ideology or if it challenges it.
Next, you will need to look for ways that this representation has been constructed. Think of this as finding evidence for the representation you identified in the first stage. Choose several good strong examples form the text. Be detailed and specific. Try to use examples which utilise a range of signs and codes. For example, an example of cinematography, one of diegetic sound, one of non-diegetic sound, one of mise-en-scene and one of editing.
You could consider the following areas when looking for examples of how representation has been constructed:
Appearance
Facial expression? Clothes? Jewellery? Stance and body language?
Sound
Tone of voice? Sound of voice? Soundtrack and music associated with them?
Setting
What sort of places do we see these people in or associated with?
Behaviour
What do we see them doing? What are typical actions for these people?
Omission
What or who has been left out?
Editing
What is the balance of the edit? Who gets most screen time?
Reaction
What are the reactions of other characters to this person or people? Accepting? Positive? Angry? Lustful? Fearful?
The Exam
Representation could be the basis of EITHER question 2 or 3 in the exam. You must be prepared to deal with either eventuality:
Representation in Question 2
If question 2 is based on representation then you will need to answer 3 parts.
Parts A and B will be both based on the texts you are given for question 1. Both parts will ask you to so some analysis of representation in this text. It will be focused on one of the main 6 areas of representation we have studied.
Part C will be a short essay (worth 15 marks) based on your own case studies. This will be very similar to a question 3 but it is crucial to remember that it is only worth half the marks and you must not spend the same amount of time on it as for question 3. Reduce the number of case study texts you discuss when writing a question 2C response but otherwise follow the guidance given for question 3.
Representation in Question 3
Question 3 will always ask you to base your answer on your own case studies. It will be based on one of the following areas of representation:
Age
Gender
Ethnicity
Issues
Events
National/Regional Identity
It is crucial that you know your case studies very well and also that you have already decided and memorised which textual examples you will use from each one. Below you will find links to each area of representation's own page. On this you will find a great deal of information to help you analyse each text and identify the key representations and textual examples to support them.
CASE STUDIES
Gender
Case Studies: Bad Boys 2 (extract), The Dark Knight (extract), Turn the Page (Metallica - music video).
Click here for more information
Age
Case Studies: Derek (Series 1, episode 4), Young Apprentice (opening), The O'Reilly Factor (coverage of London riots)
Click here for more information
Ethnicity
Case Studies: Bad Boys 2, Sonos Advert, Attack the Block (opening)
Click here for more information
Events
Event 1: The London Riots - The O'Reilly Factor, Riot From Wrong
Event 2: The World Cup Bid in 2012 - Channel 4 coverage, Russia Today coverage
Click here for more information
National/Regional Identity
London - The O'Reilly Factor, Riot From Wrong
Essex - Essex Boys, The Only Way is Essex
Click here for more information
Issues
Issue 1: Youth Violence - The O'Reilly Factor, Riot From Wrong
Issue 2: Body Image - Heat Magazine, Dove Real Beauty Campaign
Click here for more information
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