Year 12 Media Studies - Exam Topic

EXAM FORMAT

It is important to understand the format for the exam.

Exam Requirements:

A written paper 2½ hours in length

There will be 3 compulsory questions

Question 1  -  requires an analysis of an audio/visual or print based extract in which you will demonstrate your skills of Textual Analysis.  This will be either a print based text or a moving image text.

Question 2 - Based on either representation or audience.  Split into 3 smaller questions - a, b and c.  Part a and b will be based on the source material you are given but part c will be based on your own case studies.

Question 3 - Based on either representation or audience (depending on what the focus was for question 2).  Question 3 is an essay question and will require you to use your own case studies.

Key Point: For question 2c and 3, you will need to refer to your own case studies to answer the questions.


UNIT OVERVIEW
The teaching for this unit will focus on the following key areas:

1.  Textual Analysis - Click here for more info.

2.  Audience - Click here for more info.

3.  Representation - Click here for more info.

To look at examples of past papers please click here.

Please click here for advice on timings and exam strategy.

Please click here for revision advice on this unit

SUMMARIES

KEY ISSUES - TEXTUAL ANALYSIS

A textual analysis is the process by which a media text is examined and deconstructed in order to determine what message and values it contains.

Still Image Analysis

When analysing a still image (such as an advert or movie poster) you will need to use denotation and connotation to deconstruct the media text.

Denotation
- What is shown only.  The image with no meaning attached eg a young woman smiling in a white lacy dress.
Connotation
- What associations and meanings the images have eg. a bride on her wedding day.

Moving Image Analysis

If you are given a moving image text to analyse (such as an extract from a television show or a film for example) you must use the tools of analysis to help you deconstruct the text.  These are:

Mise-en-scene - what is 'in the scene'.  Everything that is seen including props, costumes, lighting, make-up, body language, settings.

Editing - the way the images are cut to together to make meaning. Continuity editing is used to create the sense of seamless chronological  action while montage editing is used to collapse time and give the impression of time flowing quickly.  Transitions are part of editing and all create their own separate meanings.  Possible transitions include fades, wipes and dissolves.

Sound - There are two types of sound, diegetic (within the reality of the text - sound effects, dialogue) and non-diegetic (sound that the characters cannot hear - voice overs, theme music)

Cinematography - The way the camera is used, the size and angle of the shot.  Different shots create different meanings.  Possible shots include close ups, high/low angles, wide shot.

Codes

All of these elements can be categorised as certain codes:
Visual codes
Technical codes
Audio Codes