Friday 15 February 2019

A-level revision and workshops 2019


Make sure you read this comprehensive post on exam structure before attending any revision sessions or workshops!


Here's a big old list of revision resources that covers literally everything and anything!


Check out this post on the 'industry context' question that WILL come up in component one section b


This schedule is a work in progress, and is subject to change


For the final six weeks, A-level media studies will switch to full revision. Each session will focus on structuring an exam, including presenting an argument, effectively using examples, appropriately applying theory, and presenting a clear conclusion. We will also be looking at the precise content needed to secure the higher grades, a fact which should reassure those who missed out case studies, set texts and explicit examples from your recent KA6 mock.

In order to achieve this, each session will focus on a single question. Each class will tackle a different question. Every response will be posted to the blog. This means, should everything run smoothly, the plans for fifty-four potential questions will be posted to the blog. In terms of revision resources, you cannot ask for anything more effective. This has been tried and tested by your teachers to deliver excellent results. Yes, it's a little dull. But we have to compromise.

In order to make this work, we need you to make the following commitments:


  • You will not miss a single lesson, unless there is a spectacularly good reason
  • You will make excellent comments and suggestions in class when prompted
  • You will make rigorous and detailed notes when other students and the teacher makes suggestions
  • You will revise each and every day, completing past paper questions where appropriate to submit to your teacher for marking and brief feedback
  • You will use the resources on the blog, making use of the label and search functions

Lesson by lesson revision plan and revision index


The following topics will be covered or have already been covered. You can click each question to read a class plan for it. You can (and should) use these posts to prepare for timed essay questions, which you should then submit to your teacher for feedback.

Week one - Advertising and film


1 – Advertising – Component one a – representation and media language





2 – Advertising – Component one b - Audience





3 – Film industry – Component one b - Industry





Week two - Newspapers


1 – Newspapers – Component one a – Media language and representation – set texts




2 – Newspapers – Component one b – industry – general study






3 – Newspapers – Component one b – audience – general study





Week  three - Music videos, videogames and radio


1 – Music videos - Component 1 section a – media language and representation



2 – Videogames – Component 2 section b – Industry and audience





3 – Radio -  Component 2 section b – Industry and audience





Week four - TV


1 – TV - Component 2 a – media language and representation






2 – TV - Component 2 a – Industry





3 – TV - Component 2 a – Audience





Week five - Magazines


1 – Magazines - Component 2 b – media language and representation





2 – Magazines - Component 2 b – industry





3 – Magazines - Component 2 b – Audience





Week six - Online media


1 – Online - Component 2 c – media language and representation





2 – Online - Component 2 c – Industry and audience






Additional revision sessions (provisional)


In addition to the revision lessons, there will also be revision workshops run during plus time. These are targeted and entirely optional. Please talk to your teacher for more information.

There will be two revision workshops a week. They both have different themes, and it is highly unlikely that you will benefit from attending both.

Tuesday - achieving an A grade - discussing advanced media theory, terminology and essay structure to obtain the very top marks. 


Wednesday  - Ensuring a C grade - Working on the basics, for example media language, textual analysis and key facts, these sessions focus on how to ensure a 'C' grade in the final exams.


Provisional timetable:



'Achieving an A grade' - Tuesdays, 14:40


2/4/19 - Structuralist approaches 



23/4/19 - Postmodernism 



30/ 4/19 - Hegemony 


Beyond patriarchal hegemony etc. 

7/5/19 - Gender performativity 



14/5/19 - Intertextuality 



21/5/19 Presenting a strong argument 


Incorporating a ‘voice’ etc.


'Ensuring a C grade' - Wednesdays, 14:40


3/4/19 - PEA 



24/4/19 - Language and Terminology 



1/5/19 - Analytical not descriptive 


Developing analysis from description 

8/5/19 - Industry 


Regulation, ownership – how to incorporate 

15/5/19 - Representation - 


Key concepts, theories etc. 

22/5/19 - Audience - 


Key concepts, theories etc.