Magazine Coursework Schedule

Welcome to Year 11 Media Studies. Get ready to work hard on your coursework production portfolio this term to give you the best chance of a top grade in this subject. Focused effort will pay off because it will mean less pressure on you come the written examination next June. Stay organised and on track to meet all the deadlines set out on the schedule below.

Tuesday 29th August - Friday 3rd November

Summer work completed by deadline of Tuesday 29th August

• Ensure all research and planning is completed
• Take photos for your magazine cover, contents page and double page spread

THIS WORK NEEDS TO BE IN YOUR COURSEWORK FOLDER TODAY AND ALL IMAGES SAVED ELECTRONICALLY IN SCHOOL. ANY PROBLEMS, YOU MUST SPEAK TO YOUR TEACHER ASAP.

Tuesday 29th August - Friday 8th September

• Compete draft cover, contents page and double page spread (without copy)

Monday 11th September - Friday 15th September

• Write copy (article, interview, review etc) for use on your double page spread

Monday 18th September - Friday 13th October

• Finish magazine cover, contents page and double page spread

Monday 23rd October - Friday 27th October

• Complete draft evaluation

Monday 30th October - Friday 3rd November

• Complete evaluation

Revision Booklet

• Click on the image to access the booklet
• Download the booklet
• Work through the booklet

Grade Boundaries

Click on the image to find out the grade boundaries for the exam paper.

Representation Revision: Spy Kids

Representation of spy kids from Mrs Downie

The representation question

You need to identify the stereotypes that are being explored in the clip. To gain full marks, you need to either discuss the stereotyping of one group in lots of sophisticated detail or discuss the representation of a range of social groups seen in the clip in less detail.

In Hancock, you would have gained marks for spotting any of the following stereotypes or anti-stereotypes (you can also call this a counter-stereotype):

• the stereotypical representation of violence as a male activity and representation of a male hero role
• the representation of Black and White Americans as heroes and a White American as the villain
• the differing representations of women – Mary appears to be defined by her looks, whereas the policewoman is actively putting her life in danger
• the positive anti-stereotypical representation of prisoners as caring and helpful
• the negative stereotypical representation of the bank robbers as uncaring and greedy
• the stereotypical equation of heroism with mature adulthood and lack of disability or disfigurement
• the stereotypical representation of the city as a place of danger
• the representation of the Police as brave mixed race and mixed gender workers

You also need to explore current ideologies that are prevalent in western culture or society. This means you need to show an understanding of how we see certain groups as a society and whether the clip confirms or challenges our understanding of how these groups fit in to society. State whether stereotypes are shown as negative or positive in the clip by considering where the director is positioning the audience (think carefully about who's side you as the viewer is on).

It is vital that you refer closely to the extract and use plenty of examples from the clip to support what you are discussing in your answer.

In your mock paper, the strongest answers showed an awareness of general media stereotyping. They analysed gender stereotyping in the male superhero and female 'damsel in distress'. They discussed the policewoman's ambiguous representation as both stereotypically vulnerable but at the same time an anti-stereotypical representation of female activity and power. They discussed the anti- stereotypical representation of an African-American hero, but also questioned the rarity of such a representation in the contemporary media. They discussed the easy equation of Americans and heroism. They noted the stereotypical representation of the big city as a place of danger.

Good answers clearly discussed media stereotyping but avoided discussion of social reality. 

Textual Analysis and Respresentation: Edge of Tomorrow

Click on the image of Tom Cruise in action mode in the film Edge of Tomorrow to be taken to today's work. You have some experience of this film, but you may not have seen the clip before.

You need to complete the task and hand your books in at the end of the lesson - even if you have not managed to complete all the questions in the time given. For those students who took their books home last lesson, you are also required to hand in the outstanding homework pieces.

NEXT STEPS: Year 11 Evaluations

Even Better If....

Revisit your evaluation. 

Task: Improve your evaluation and print a copy out before the end of today's lesson. You have 50 minutes to complete this task. 

Check it makes a clear link between your research powerpoint into other magazines and relevant target audiences and your final product. Do you comment on how you made the design decisions but support that with why your believe it will appeal the target audience you are aiming your product at?

Here's some tips to help you improve your first drafts....

• Be exact and specific about the demographics of your target audience reader. State their age, gender, and demographic group. 
• If your market research only asks five people for their opinions, ask yourself whether it can be used as conclusive evidence of your target audience. Why not include comments from friends about your final product or ask more people to complete your survey.
• Make sure you have used the data from your survey monkey questionnaires or at least share your product with people in the class to give you some target audience feedback.
• Avoid writing "it will appeal to the reader because it catches their eye" or other vague statements. Explain why they would be unable to put the magazine down by referring to evidence from your research or discussing the role of representation and aspiration for example. Use the key concepts to help you explore what makes audiences buy products at all.
• If you changed your magazine idea part way through the process, you must update your evaluation to make sure you are referring to the final product you have submitted to be marked.

Final thing... Read the brief again to be sure you know what to do.

You need to answer the following questions in as much detail as possible. This is a very important part of your magazine production portfolio.

Answer each question in as much detail as possible. Add examples from all parts of your work.

• How effective was your research into similar magazines and relevant target audience. What did you learn from your research into these two areas? In what ways did this shape the creation of your magazine?
• What creative decisions did you have to make at the different stages of your magazine production? How did your magazine change as your work progressed?
• How closely does your magazine follow the forms and conventions of existing magazines? Give examples of real magazines you reference.
• How successful is your finished magazine? What are its strengths and weaknesses?

You need to write between 500-800 words.