This link guides you to an essay written with the G325 exam in mind. I'm unable to tell you what it got. But it might help you construct your thoughts..
http://www.slideshare.net/gdsteacher/g325-a-analysis-of-media-language
Wednesday, 11 July 2012
G325 Question 2
Writing frame for G325 from Julian McDougall
G325 Sample Writing Frame (Collective ID)
Please note this is generic and is not a direct response to a specific exam question, so candidates will need to adapt this.
Start with quote, paraphrase, critique on identity, representation, media.
Identity is complex. The relationship between collective identity and media representation is not straightforward. In this answer I will discuss this complicated relationship in relation to (CANDIDATE'S FOCUS - ONE GROUP ACROSS MEDIA OR TWO GROUPS OR MORE, OR CONTRASTING EXAMPLES).
For each example / study, quote, paraphrase, critique is now applied to the material researched. One example from more than 5 years ago is included. Textual analysis is ALWAYS connected to theories of representation and / or identity. These theories can be from any time period but the majority of the examples used for discussion must be from within 5 years.
Next, connections are made between the examples / contrasts are discussed.
Finally, a conclusion is offered which goes back to the start - the complicated relationship between identity and media representation. A prediction for what the future will hold is included here.
To secure high marks, all of the above is accompanied by referencing (when an author is mentioned, their name and year of the book / article / web material is given in brackets after the FIRST mention).
Please note this is generic and is not a direct response to a specific exam question, so candidates will need to adapt this.
Start with quote, paraphrase, critique on identity, representation, media.
Identity is complex. The relationship between collective identity and media representation is not straightforward. In this answer I will discuss this complicated relationship in relation to (CANDIDATE'S FOCUS - ONE GROUP ACROSS MEDIA OR TWO GROUPS OR MORE, OR CONTRASTING EXAMPLES).
For each example / study, quote, paraphrase, critique is now applied to the material researched. One example from more than 5 years ago is included. Textual analysis is ALWAYS connected to theories of representation and / or identity. These theories can be from any time period but the majority of the examples used for discussion must be from within 5 years.
Next, connections are made between the examples / contrasts are discussed.
Finally, a conclusion is offered which goes back to the start - the complicated relationship between identity and media representation. A prediction for what the future will hold is included here.
To secure high marks, all of the above is accompanied by referencing (when an author is mentioned, their name and year of the book / article / web material is given in brackets after the FIRST mention).
G325 Question 1b
Question 1(b) requires you to select one production and evaluate it in relation to a media concept. The list of concepts to which questions will relate is as follows:
• Genre
• Narrative
• Representation
• Audience
• Media language
In the examination, questions will be set using one of these concepts only.
Past Questions
Specimen: “Media texts rely on cultural experiences in order for audiences to easily make sense of narratives.” Explain how you used conventions and/or experimental narrative approaches in one of your production pieces. [25]
January 2010: Analyse media representation in one of your coursework productions. [25]
June 2010: Analyse one of your coursework productions in relation to genre.
A2 exam question 1b
• Genre
• Narrative
• Representation
• Audience
• Media language
In the examination, questions will be set using one of these concepts only.
Past Questions
Specimen: “Media texts rely on cultural experiences in order for audiences to easily make sense of narratives.” Explain how you used conventions and/or experimental narrative approaches in one of your production pieces. [25]
January 2010: Analyse media representation in one of your coursework productions. [25]
June 2010: Analyse one of your coursework productions in relation to genre.
A2 exam question 1b
And a minimalist summary of what to cover...
para 1 Intro: which of your projects are you going to write about? briefly describe it
para 2: what are some of the key features of the concept you are being asked to apply? maybe outline two of the theories/ideas of particular writers briefly
para 3; start to apply the concept, making close reference to your production to show how the concept is evident in it
para 4: try to show ways in which ideas work in relation to your production and also ways in which those ideas might not apply/could be challenged
para 5; conclusion
Again remember you only have 30 minutes and that you really need to analyse the finished production, rather than tell the marker how you made it
para 1 Intro: which of your projects are you going to write about? briefly describe it
para 2: what are some of the key features of the concept you are being asked to apply? maybe outline two of the theories/ideas of particular writers briefly
para 3; start to apply the concept, making close reference to your production to show how the concept is evident in it
para 4: try to show ways in which ideas work in relation to your production and also ways in which those ideas might not apply/could be challenged
para 5; conclusion
Again remember you only have 30 minutes and that you really need to analyse the finished production, rather than tell the marker how you made it
G325 Question 1a
Critical Perspectives in the Media
Question 1(a) requires you to describe and evaluate your skills development over the course of their production work, from Foundation Portfolio to Advanced Portfolio. The focus of this evaluation must be on skills development, and the question will require you to adapt this to one or two specific production practices. The list of practices to which questions will relate is as follows:
• Digital Technology
• Creativity
• Research and planning
• Post-production
• Using conventions from real media texts
In the examination, questions will be posed using one or two of these categories. Where you have produced relevant work outside the context of their A Level media course, you are free to additionally refer to this experience.
Past Questions
Specimen: “Digital technology turns media consumers into media producers.” In your own experience, how has your creativity developed through using digital technology to complete your coursework productions? [25]January 2010: Describe how you developed research and planning skills for media production and evaluate how these skills contributed to creative decision making. Refer to a range of examples in your answer to show how these skills developed over time. [25]
June 2010: Describe the ways in which your production work was informed by research into real media texts and how your ability to use such research for production developed over time. [25]
January 2011:
Candidates will need to refer to their work for the Foundation and Advanced Portfolio units.
• Explanation / analysis / argument (10 marks)
• Use of examples (10 marks)
• Use of terminology (5 marks)
The simplist way to structure your answer is shown on this link OCR GET AHEAD. HOWEVER it doesn't meet all of the criteria. See the comment!!
Audience Theory - Student PowerPoints
The following PowerPoints were produced by the students in group discussions about the set reading.
G325 - Link to Chief Examiner's Blog
STOP!
LOOK!
READ!
This is well worth a look and really essential reading prior to the exam:
Pete Fraiser's Blog
LOOK!
READ!
This is well worth a look and really essential reading prior to the exam:
- Revision Points
- Structuring Exam answers
- Revising theorist ..... and much more.
Pete Fraiser's Blog
A2 Students - Message from the Exam Board about "Media Language"
They have defined "media language" as the various ways in which the medium in question is understood/read. Therefore for you this is "The language of film".
You may link to other concepts such as narrative, but you need to focus 'in' on the way that your text is understandable as a product of its medium.
You will be given credit if you can construct an answer that explains how your chosen product (ie short film) does NOT fit neatly with the concept. So if you want to start your answer by saying that you are going to contest the idea of media language and explain why broader concepts are more suitable in relation to what you have produced, that is fine.
(Quoted from Julian McDougall)
You may link to other concepts such as narrative, but you need to focus 'in' on the way that your text is understandable as a product of its medium.
You will be given credit if you can construct an answer that explains how your chosen product (ie short film) does NOT fit neatly with the concept. So if you want to start your answer by saying that you are going to contest the idea of media language and explain why broader concepts are more suitable in relation to what you have produced, that is fine.
(Quoted from Julian McDougall)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)