This post is a slightly revised version of the powerpoint from this afternoon's revision session. Any questions? Please send Michael an email!
Sample timings
Total length of exam – 150 minutes
Time allotted for each question – 50 minutes
Micro-management
Intro and argument - 7 minutes
Text one – 13 minutes
Text two – 13 minutes
Text three – 13 minutes
Conclusion - 4 minutes
Introduction
This can be divided into
Definition
Argument
Context
Using this structure, you would first define the key word of your question, including making brief explanations for why this is important to talk about. You would then make an argument or point of view. Finally, you would discuss the context of your chosen texts, including genre, year released, director, and how the text is interesting for your point of view.
Defining key words
Here are a couple of examples of how you could define key terms
‘Representation’
“Representation refers to the construction of reality. Representations are constructed by the producers of media texts in order to reinforce the agendas, ideals and ideologies of institutions”
‘Audience’
“Contrary to previous thoughts on audiences, both theorists and producers now agree that audiences are complex, and have a variety of different needs, tastes and ways of using media texts”
Argument examples
What argument are trying to make around your keyword?
Here are two potential arguments that you could make at the start of your essay.
‘Genre’
“Genre is primarily used as a shortcut by producers in order to target audiences in the most efficient manner possible. However, many texts can subvert audience expectation, while at the same time conforming to genre conventions”
‘Distribution’
“Distribution is undoubtedly important for musical artists. However, I will argue that other factors, such as star appeal and modern digital technologies are more important for both financial and critical success in the music industry”
The paragraph structure
One way you could structure the paragraphs within your response is by using
Point
Evidence
Argument
[Theory]
However, there are many other ways of structuring your responses. Just make sure to be consistent and clear!
Explore the different representations of either women or ethnicity in your chosen texts - sample paragraph
P – In Brave, the representation of women is far more complicated. While Merida in many ways is a typical ‘Disney princess’, she has been constructed in ways that subverts traditional gender stereotypes.
E – An excellent example of this is the scene when Merida proves her physical prowess in the archery scene. The use of close up shots show Merida ripping her stereotypical princess costume, and the use of the prop of the bow and arrow demonstrates the extent to which Merida has turned her back on traditional stereotypical representations of women in Disney films, like Cinderella (1950) and Snow White (1939). This is emphasised by the use of reaction shots of the film’s male characters, who are shocked by her unladylike display.
A – By subverting many of the conventions of the Disney princess, the producers offer the target young, female audience the gratification of seeing a character with a similar lifestyle being in charge, and ignoring the instructions of her father. However, Disney is careful to not subvert every convention. Disney films work to an extremely strict formula in terms of their narrative and character archetypes, and rely on their young target audience being able to identify and relate to modern twists on traditional fairy tales. In fact, when Disney came round to marketing a princess Merida doll, she was represented not as a scruffy little girl, but a thinner, more glamorous older teenager. This marketing confirms that while Brave in many ways challenges gender stereotypes surrounding women, in many other ways, it is still a typical Disney film, still desperate to attract it’s extremely valuable target audience.
Note - while I have not used a theory here, you could easily mention Mulvey's male gaze, Dyer's function of stereotypes, and so on.
Good luck in your final full day of revision before the MS4 exam!