Representation

Either

(a)    What is there to be said for and against stereotyping in the media? Answer with reference to specific examples.

Or

(b)    Compare and contrast positive and negative representations in the media of any one group of your choice.

Genre

Either

(a)    Compare two examples, from different decades, of any media genre of your choice.

Describe and account for the major differences and similarities between them.

Or

(b)    Choose one media genre which particularly appeals to you. Explain why, using detailed examples.

Film or Broadcast Fiction

Either

(a)    Describe and analyse one film or television or radio fictional text which, in your view, does more than entertain its audience. What arguments would you put forward to support the view that this text should be taken seriously?



(b)    How important are stars in either film or broadcast fiction? Give reasons for your answer, and provide specific examples.

Representation

Either

(a)    Describe some of the techniques which may be used within the media to marginalise the views and experiences of any one group of your choice. Give examples of these techniques in action wherever possible.

Or

(b)    Describe the difficulties which face anyone who wishes to give an accurate media representation of any one group of your choice. What advice would you offer to help produce a more accurate picture?

Genre

Either

(a)       Taking one media text , analyse the ways in which it draws upon and diverges from the conventions of its genre.

Or

(b)    How useful have you found the concept of genre in making sense of either present-day films or present-day television programmes?

Illustrate your answer with reference to at least two films or television programmes of your choice.

Film or Broadcast Fiction

Either

(a)    (i) Compare and contrast the openings of two fictional films in terms of their narrative functions, and the expectations they provoke in their audiences.

Or

(ii)    Describe and illustrate the major differences which exist between the narrative structures of fictional series, serials and soap operas on television.
Discuss the dramatic possibilities and limitations of each of these forms.

Or

(b)    With reference to one film or broadcast fictional text of your choice show the extent to which its narrative characteristics may have been influenced by the contexts and conditions in which audiences will receive it.

Documentary

Either
(a)    "Documentaries, like plays, novels and poems, are fictional forms" (Frederick Wiseman, North American documentary film-maker).

What do you think Wiseman meant by this statement? Do you agree with Wiseman's view? Discuss with reference to a range of documentary material,

Or

(b)    Present an analysis one documentary, paying particular attention to the general issues of form and content which it raises.

Advertising and Marketing.

Either

(a)    What techniques do practitioners of advertising and marketing use to gain the attention of their specific target audiences? Give examples, wherever possible.

Or


(b)    Describe one recent advertising or marketing campaign. Pay particular attention to the campaign's aims, target audience, techniques and media strategy, and estimate its success.


Media Audiences

Either


(a)    Why are audiences for popular media sometimes described as "the masses". What can be said for and against this description? Illustrate your argument with examples.

Or

(b)    Can audiences successfully influence the media and make use of them for their own purposes?  Give examples to support your argument.

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