1. Representation revision Essay structure and content

2. What do you need to do? Achieved (Demonstrate understanding) means to describe the representation AND how it operates. Do at least one of these ways it operates: features that create the representation (eg how the representation is shown in the texts, for example, common and repeated behaviors/actions, dialogue, dress, relationships etc that reinforce the representation) OR The difference between the representation and reality (how is the way they are shown consistent with how teenagers really are?) OR…

3. What do you need to do? Achieved continued… The stereotypes/messages/values that are created by the representation (What are the underlying ideas/world views that are shown consistently through this representation?) OR The selection and/or omission of material (How is what is shown SELECTIVE – what’s left out, and how does that create stereotypes or biased/mediated views of this group?) OR Who created the representation? (How does that affect what we see and what’s left out)

4. What do you need to do? Merit (Demonstrate in-depth understanding) means to: Provide detailed reasons for how the representation operates the way it does and/or: Why the media representation is effective in getting across certain messages (about the group and/or society)

5. What do you need to do…cont… Excellence (Demonstrate critical understanding) means provide a detailed examination of the representation. This includes: An implication of the representation. For example  Why media representations of Am teens are connected to dominant American world views such as consumerism, meritocracy and consumerism  How advertisers capture Am teen representations to encourage consumerism

6. Representations we have seen Teenagers are searching for their identity. Teenagers are represented as being members of a social hierarchy. Teenagers are shown as being under pressure to succeed in life and in love. Teenagers are shown as being materialistic. Teenagers are shown as being bullies (to keep their place in the social hierarchy).

7. The exam 2011 Candidates will be asked to define and discuss the representation of a group, event, place etc in the media NOTE: you are doing a group – contemporary American Teens You will need to define the group AND the representation You will need to support your response with detail from at least TWO media texts and/or evidence from other sources

8. The Exam 2011 Candidates will select ONE or more of the following aspects to focus on: features that create the representation the difference between representation and reality the stereotypes/messages/values that are created by the representation the selection and/or omission of material who created the representation

9. The exam 2011 For merit you must give reasons for the representation – the connection between a teenager’s search for identity and ‘seeing themselves’ in the media (or a view of what society sees them as!) For Achievement with Excellence, candidates must discuss ONE implication of the representation.

10. Use the following prompts to write your first intro paragraphs – what is representation? Repeated again and again - engrained A version of reality NOT reality Selected/mediated What is represented is dependant on who created it, and for what reasons It communicates messages and values that have social significance. It reflect world views, ideologies, societal assumptions, and biases.

11. Intro paragraphs continued.. Who is your group and where do you see them represented ? Contemporary American Teens Mention the texts you’ve studied Are these typical representations? Where else do you see these representations

12. Body paragraphs. Explain a representation with two examples– at least 600 Words) ONE way American Teens are represented in the media is… An example of this representation is… Features which support that representation are.. Another example which supports this representation is… Messages and stereotypes which are shown in this representations are.. Some reasons for this representation are… Consequences of this representation are..

13. The rainbow connection – some excellence prompts Read the hand-out which explains this in more detail (it’s on the intranet) Use the words: IdeologyHegemonyMeritocracy Consumerism Discuss whether these world views and aspirations that are sold to American teens through the media are realistic. Can everyone succeed through their merits? Will buying more stuff make people ‘better’? What is the reality for American teenagers searching for an identity as an adult in America at this time?