Tuesday, 11 July 2023

A-level media studies summer work 2023



There are three pieces of summer work to complete this year. While all are just as important as each other, please note that only the first task (aims and intentions draft) will be collected and formally assessed. However the other two pieces WILL give you a higher grade overall.


Read on...


1 - aims and intentions first draft


The aims and intentions essay is a very short essay written in future tense that discusses what you found out in your planning and preparation for the coursework, and then outlines your plan for the music video and the magazine. Because it's written in future tense, it doesn't matter if your music video and magazine differ completely.

You can instructions on how to complete aims and intentions here, including student exemplars


You can find a detailed brief of the whole project here


And just in case you've completely forgotten, you can remind yourself of the planning and preparation booklet by clicking here


Important - the aims and intentions essay will be submitted digitally on your first lesson back. Failure to do so will result in a 'U' grade. Please plan ahead to make sure you hit this important deadline


2 - perfecting your music video


While we've now gone past the final deadline, you may use the summer holiday to film and edit if you are able to, and if you need to. Please note that starting straight away in September, we will only be spending class time on the magazine project and subsequent drafts of aims and intentions. 


3 - wider reading


wider reading is everything you do outside of lessons related to media studies, or any subject you study... or don't! Wider reading is the single most transformative factor in success at A-level. It goes beyond exam technique, memorising case studies, cramming key terms. It's also the single most important determining factor for life satisfaction and future success. I'm absolutely not joking here. Employers don't want exam machines. They want well rounded individuals who can discuss a range of topics. But also, reading around the subject will help to push you to the top level in exams by demonstrating a breadth of knowledge and understanding. So yes, it's the most important thing you can do.

However, knowing where to start is difficult. This page (which can be accessed from the wider reading tab) will set you in the right direction. If in doubt, watch strange films, play videogames you've never heard of, listen to genres you are unfamiliar with, find a magazine that interests you. The more you immerse yourself in media, the better your life will be.