Textual Investigations

Learning objective: To complete and submit textual investigation 1 and to make a start/plan for textual investigation 2.

1. Open your textual investigation 1 and make sure it has all the relevant information.

• Name
• Candidate number or space for it
• Centre number 34251

Title underlined

Has all the text used the same font style?

Does it look neat and justified?

Have you written an introduction (saying what you will deal with) and a conclusion?

Have you included numbered illustrations?

Any quotes you have used should be referenced at the end. Websites, books etc.

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Textual investigation using the concept of NARRATIVE

Choose one of the titles suggested but include your own text.

Introduction: 

Say which text you will be exploring and which concept (narrative) you will be looking at.

For example: In this textual investigation I will be discussing how narrative is constructed in the television advert for Channel featuring Kiera Knightley.

DON'T JUST JUMP IN AND WRITE IMMEDIATELY ABOUT YOUR TEXT.

Explain the concept of narrative. Give a definition.

Narrative is the way in which a text is structured to hold the attention of the audience, they can be linear or non-linear.

Non linear narratives do not start at the beginning and tell the story chronologically, they include flash backs and flash forwards.

Linear narratives can employ the theory of Todorov...

Main body:

Discuss how narrative is usually constructed in this genre. For example; a crime drama may show us the detective's life outside of his/her job, making it more interesting for the viewer, they may feel they 'know' the character better. Some crime dramas use flashbacks, some of these may be misleading and add to the enigma of the story.

Discuss the characters in your text. Do they work alongside other, different character types? 
Maybe they are binary opposites?

Compare your characters with other characters in shows from the same genre.
How has the use of enigmas for example affect an audience in one show but not another?

How do technical codes drive the narrative?
Sound - gives the audience clues to the character types, consider Propp.
Editing - fast or slow paced editing? How does this impact on the narrative?
Lighting - High key is naturalistic, low key adds drama. How is lighting used?
Framing - does the text use any unusual framing techniques? High angle, low angle etc

Settings - what do the audience expect from the settings used in your text? are they typical of the genre and do they drive the narrative?

Use specific points from your text to make things clear.

Above all; use media terminology.

You can use screen shots with annotation to make your points clear. 

In your conclusion you should discuss how visual and technical codes are used to change the audiences point of view.

Say if the text you are exploring conforms to or challenges narrative conventions. Does it use unusual techniques  to appeal to an audience?

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Textual investigation using the concept of Representation

Introduction: 

Say which text you will be exploring and which concept (representation) you will be looking at.

For example: In this textual investigation I will be discussing how representation is constructed in the television advert for Channel featuring Kiera Knightley.

DON'T JUST JUMP IN AND WRITE IMMEDIATELY ABOUT YOUR TEXT.

Explain the concept of representation. Give a definition.

Representation is the description or portrayal of someone or something in a particular way.

Say that the Media is not a window on the world, it does not show the real world, only a version that has been represented according to the type of text.

All media texts go through a process of mediation and text producers send us messages through representations. For example England can be shown to be a great place with traditions and history or it can be shown as a place with a lot of poverty with no hope.

Main body:
Discuss how representation is presented in your text.
For example; are the characters and places shown in a positive or negative way?
Say how this is done through the use of visual and technical codes.
Costume, facial expression, colour (connotations), body language, graphics and settings.
Sound, editing pace, lighting and framing.

What would the viewers think of these representations? Would they like and agree with them or would they be offended and disagree with them strongly?

Discuss the characters in your text. Do they work alongside other, different character types? 
Maybe they are binary opposites?

Compare your characters with other characters in shows from the same genre.

Say what a stereotype is. It is a cliche, a shortcut or a snapshot used to convey a message but it is a representation that is used over and over until the audience take it for granted. Like Scottish people and kilts.

How do technical codes help to construct the representation?
Sound - gives the audience clues to the character types, consider Propp.
Editing - fast or slow paced editing? How does this impact on the narrative?
Lighting - High key is naturalistic, low key adds drama. How is lighting used?
Framing - does the text use any unusual framing techniques? High angle, low angle etc

Settings - what do the audience expect from the settings used in your text? How have the settings been represented? Are the places shown in a negative or positive way?

Use specific examples from your text to make your points clear.

You can use screen shots with annotation to make your points clear. 

In your conclusion you should discuss how visual and technical codes are used to change the audiences' point of view about the things that are being represented..

Say if the text you are exploring conforms to or challenges narrative conventions. Does it use unusual techniques  to appeal to an audience?

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Codes and conventions of Magazine covers

Learning objective: 
To identify codes and conventions of music magazines and apply them to a mock up magazine of your own.within a print based text and using annotation, support your points.

Key words:
House style, Masthead, Shots, Angles, Low key lighting, connotations, Graphics, Manipulation.

Genre specific lexis: Words that an audience would associate with a specific genre. 'Banging' tunes'.
Hyperbole: Over exaggerated language that can make a text seem very good. 
'I've told you a million times'.
Imperatives: Words or phrases that contain a command or an order. 'Get your free gift NOW'.

Magazines also have lots of genres and sub genres. Music magazines are a sub genre but all magazines have codes and conventions that audiences expect to see.

When you create a magazine cover you should look to include the following and consider how these conventions will appeal to your target audience.

Masthead: In publishing refers to the flag, banner or the name of a magazine or newspaper printed in large type at the top of the front page. The masthead should also give a clue to the genre of the magazine. Kerrang for instance is the name of a music magazine and it sounds like a guitar being strummed. If the magazine is well known then the masthead may be obscured by the main image.

Sell line: is information on the cover of a magazine that tells the reader what extra they can get if they buy the magazine. Free gifts or competitions for example.

Cover lines: These usually run down the side and give the reader clues to what is inside the magazine. Their aim is to persuade the reader to buy. Cover lines must link to the genre.

Main image/central image: The main image of a music magazine is usually a picture of a band or artist who is currently popular.

Date, barcode, price: All magazines should include these. The price should reflect the category (a, b, c1 or c2, d, e). of the primary target audience.

A strip along the top of the page: Includes information about more minor articles inside the magazine

Other things to consider:

Mode of address: Magazines often use genre specific lexis. They can make the reader feel exclusive, part of a group. Hyperbole is often used to attract a younger audience.

If the character on the main image is staring straight out at the audience then it is called a direct mode of address.

The layout and design can be formal or informal. This will depend on the house style of the magazine.

Informal layout may include snapshots or paparazzi shots.

Formal layout may include photos that have been set up and taken in a studio.

Colour: Magazines tend to have a house style which is used consistently. This can be created from a limited palette.

Font style and size: This is also related to the genre and can be sophisticated or cartoony, depending on the target audience.

Social media: Links to social media sites such as Facebook or Twitter are important and can prolong a reader's interest in the text.

Here is what an annotated magazine cover looks like with just the codes and conventions indicated:

Task 1: 

Annotate the magazine below using the handout provided. Use the media terminology that you have been using here.

Task 2: 

Using the handout provided, plan the layout of your own music magazine.

This should include as many of the codes and conventions we have discussed as possible.

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Magazines and other print texts

Print texts like magazines, CDs and film posters use the technical codes of framing, editing and lighting to transmit meaning.
These texts are constructed using a range of techniques designed to appeal to an audience.

Layout and design
The way in which a print text is constructed is partly through the technical codes of the text.
The use of colour, font style and text positioning all contribute to the overall style of the publication.
Magazines have a house style that is always used and readers will recognise this and expect it to be consistent.
Readers will recognise for example, the font style used for the masthead and the colour codes.

Camera Shots
The choice of shot on a print text helps to communicate meaning.
A screen shot from a film used on a poster suggests the narrative and genre of the film.
A close up of a performer on a music industry website contributes to their star persona and will attract their fan base.

Lighting
The way in which an image is lit helps to convey a mood.
Moody lighting with high contrast adds drama. Bright, naturalistic light is more friendly.

Low key lighting

High key lighting

Use of Colour
The colours chosen to be incorporated into print texts convey messages about the texts genre and often about the audience who will consume it.
Pastel colours on a CD suggest a particular type of music.
Print based adverts for fragrances convey messages quickly to their audience by using digitally applied colour washes.

Graphics
Logos and graphical representations appear in many forms on print based texts.
Some CD covers and websites, for example do not contain images of the band or artist but use more artistic illustrations or photos which represent the genre of the music.
(See the Cage for Elephant website).

Post production techniques
It is the case in media today that still images are manipulated and enhanced digitally for an effect. In advertising for example, eyelashes are extended and skin is made to loo flawless through the use of digital airbrushing. Models on the front covers of magazines are body brushed to give an unrealistic appearance of perfection.

Task 1: Answer the question:
How do technical codes construct meanings in print text?

Use specific annotated examples to support your points.
You may use magazine or CD covers to annotate.

Textual Investigation 2 Narrative or Representation

Learning objective: 
To learn how to approach a textual investigation using the concept of narrative or representation.

Your second textual investigation must be completed before the deadline of Feb 12th 2016.
It should consist of between 400 and 850 words.
You must investigate a moving image piece but not a film trailer as this is the focus of your exam.
You can choose to analyse...
an advert from TV,
an opening title sequence,
a key scene from a film or a TV show.

In your investigation you should consider one main text and at least one other to compare it with.
You must submit a plan at the end of this lesson which shows your intended structure.
Complete a rough draft and submit to Mr Ealey for feedback before you complete a final draft.

Textual investigations require you to include the following information on the front page:

• Name:
• Candidate number:
• Centre number: 34251
• Word count:

You must write about one main text and compare it to at least one other.

Use media terminology when you can;

connotations, implies, visual codes, technical codes, audio, iconography, pace of editing, target audience (very important), regulation, Maslow (hierarchy of needs), Todorov (equilibrium theory), Propp (character types), Barthes (enigma and action codes), Levi Strauss (binary opposition). Stereotypes, celebrity etc.

Your conclusion should discuss whether the main text conforms to or challenges the narrative or Representation conventions for the target audience.

Use illustrations to support your point.

For narrative, you must choose from one of the titles below:

• Explore how narrative is constructed in (your chosen text)
• Explore the structure of narrative in (your chosen text)
• Explore how conventional the narrative structure is in (your chosen text)
• Explore how far the narrative structure in (your chosen text) challenges conventional narratives.

For representation you must choose from one of the titles below:

• Explore how gender, ethnicity, age, nationality, place, events or issues are represented in (your chosen text).
• Explore how far the representation of one of the following is challenged in (your chosen text): gender, ethnicity, age, nationality, place, events or issues.
• Explore how far the representation of one of the following reinforcesconventional points of view in (your chosen text): gender, ethnicity, age, nationality, place, events or issues.

Task 1: Use the handout provided to plan the structure of your investigation.

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Conventions of a double page spread

Codes and conventions of a double page spread from Laurengibney

New year. Textual investigation 2

Lesson 1:

Learning objective: To choose a title and a format for your second Textual Investigation.

Approach to Textual Investigation 2

Key Terms: 
Controlled Assessment
This is the work you do in class that counts towards your final GCSE grade. The assessments are controlled in that you must complete them in class under your teacher's supervision.
They are also controlled by the WJEC, the awarding body, as they set the titles from which you must choose.

Illustrated Essay
This is a written piece of work that includes images. For example, if the topic of your investigation is to do with narrative  conventions in film trailers, you may include screenshots to make your point clearer.

Conventional points of view
This means that the representation in the text is what is expected by an audience. For example the representation of the woman in horror genre films is as a victim.

Challenged
If you choose a title which asks how conventions are challenged, the expectation is that you will be investigating a media text that shows a different representation from the usual ones.
For example, a music video that shows a more realistic example of a young woman or an example of a narrative that is not a simple linear structure.

________________________________________________________________

At this stage of the course you should be ready to complete your second and final textual investigation.
Your first investigation was based on genre.
Your second investigation must be based on narrative or representation.

There are rules you must follow in completing your textual investigations:

• One must be print based.
• Neither textual investigation can be based on the topic you have chosen for production.
• Only one  textual investigation can be based on the exam topic (in your case advertising, print based or TV).
• The two investigations must be on different topics and media forms.
• One  textual investigation must be based on genre.
• One  textual investigation must be based on narrative or representation.
• Your investigation must refer to one main text but refer to examples of other texts to clarify your points.
• Your investigations must be between 400 and 850 words.
• You can present your textual investigation as an essay, an illustrated essay or a Power Point presentation.

You MUST choose from one of the following titles:

Narrative

• Explore how narrative is constructed in (your chosen text)
• Explore the structure of narrative in (your chosen text)
• Explore how conventional the narrative structure is in (your chosen text)
• Explore how far the narrative structure in (your chosen text) challenges conventional narratives.

Representation

• Explore how gender, ethnicity, age, nationality, place, events or issues are represented in (your chosen text).
• Explore how far the representation of one of the following is challenged in (your chosen text): gender, ethnicity, age, nationality, place, events or issues.
• Explore how far the representation of one of the following reinforces conventional points of view in (your chosen text): gender, ethnicity, age, nationality, place, events or issues.

Below are 4 different responses to the textual investigation:
Explore how narrative is constructed in Vera and CSI Miami.

Underneath the responses are clips from the two texts being investigated, it is not important that you are familiar with these texts but you can take a quick look.

Task 1: 
Using the given handouts, you should indicate the media terminology that has been used. 
Even if you aren't sure about some of the terms, put them down anyway. We will recap on narrative over the next week or two.

Response 1

Response 2

Response 3

Response 4

Task 2: Watch the clip below and note down 

a) how the representations of the characters have been constructed.

b) how the narrative has been constructed.

Vera

Year 11 GCSE Media Studies 2015

Terms for Textual Investigation

Name___________________________________________

Response number	Media term	Meaning
1	Linear Narrative	Follows a straight line — starting at the beginning, moving to the middle and proceeding to the end of the story.

Task 3:
In your orange books draw a spider diagram of ideas around the text you have chosen for your own (second) textual investigation.

The diagram should include for narrative:

An exploration of how narrative has been constructed in your text. Apply theory, Propp, Todorov, Barthes, Levi-Strauss.
Say how an audience will be attracted to the text because of the way the narrative is constructed.
For example, a crime drama appeals because the audience want to solve the crime.
Refer to other texts that are relevant for comparison.
For example if you are writing about Luther then you could compare it to The Sweeney.
Use Media Terminology as best you can.

The diagram should include for representation:

An exploration of how representation (age, gender, ethnicity, sexuality etc) has been constructed in your text. Discuss stereotypes.
Say how an audience will be attracted to the text because of the way the representations are constructed.
For example, young people challenging authority in a text like Kidulthood appeals because the young audience want to see how the characters deal with issues relevant to them. (Drugs, relationships etc)
Refer to other texts that are relevant for comparison.
For example if you are writing about Kidulthood then you could compare it to Waterloo Road.
Use Media Terminology as best you can.

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Lesson 2: 

Learning Objective: To plan for the completion of my GCSE coursework.

The final date for submission of coursework is Friday 12th Feb 2016

The majority of you have a lot of work to do to meet this deadline so you advised to use this time wisely.
Work that needs to be completed is as follows:

• Textual Investigation 1 (Genre) 20 marks
• Textual Investigation 2 (Narrative or Representation) 20 marks
• Coursework cover sheet specifying your coursework submission.
• 2-4 pieces of research 10 marks
• 2-4 pieces of planning 10 marks
• Production 50 marks
• Evaluation 10 marks

All coursework submitted needs to have the following information on the header (or footer):

• Name
• Candidate number
• Centre number

Individually you are still required to present research and planning in the proper way.

Task 1:
Email all completed research and planning to aealey@de-la-salle.co.uk
I will have your work printed out in colour for marking and submitting.

Task 2:
Summarize your own individual requirements for submission, include production work or evaluation.
Use the handout provided.

J. Groves

J. White

C. Kirk

A. Moyo

J. Lewin

K. Wright

J. Daniels

Task 3: Finish your production. The Media Studies room is available to you each lunchtime and for one hour after school when possible.

Be sure to consider all the research you have done about target audiences and try to appeal to that audience using visual and technical codes.

Your evaluation also needs to be completed.
You are all expected to work late and or during lunchtimes to complete this work.

Best of luck!